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A Man For All Seasons
A Man for All Seasons is a well known play by Robert Bolt. The earlier form of the play had been written for BBC Radio in 1954. A Man for All Seasons was first performed, and it was opened at the Globe Theatre on July 1, 1960. The play found itself on Broadway soon, and it enjoyed critical and commercial success.
The plot of this play is based on the true story of Saint Thomas More. Saint Thomas More was a 16th-century Chancellor of England, who helped to approve or denounce King Henry VIII's wish to divorce his aging wife Catherine of Aragon.
The title of the play reflects 20th century agnostic playwright Robert Bolts portrayal of More. More is portrayed as the ultimate man of conscience.
Bolt borrowed the title from Robert Whittington. Whittington wrote to Bolt once: More is a man of an angel's wit and singular learning.
I know not his fellow. For where is the man of that gentleness, lowliness and affability? And, as time requireth, a man of marvelous mirth and pastimes, and sometime of as sad gravity. A man for all seasons.
Sir Thomas More had refused to sign a letter asking the Pope to annul the King's marriage. He resigned and did not take an Oath of Supremacy declaring the King the Supreme Head of the Church of England. More is deeply loved by the common people and by his family.
Cardinal Wolsey indignantly says that if only More could see facts flat on, he might have made a statesman. More replies: I think that when statesmen forsake their own private consciences for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos.
While Roper angrily says that Martin Luther has ample evidence that Roman Catholicism is a heretic church, More declares, Now, listen, Will.
Two years ago you were a passionate Churchman. Now you're a passionate Lutheran. We must just pray that when your head's finished turning, your face is to the front again.
Wolsey later dies in disgrace; he was banished to a rural monastery. King Henry then appoints More as Lord Chancellor of England. Shortly after that the King arrives by boat at Chelsea.
When More provokes the King, King Henry yells: I have no Queen! Catherine's not my wife! No priest can make her so! Those who say she is my wife are not only liars but traitors!Roper declares that the King has become the Devil's minister since he attacked the Catholic Church.
King Henry then declares himself Supreme Head of the Church in England. He also demands that More attend his wedding.
Without anything left to lose, More angrily denounces the King's actions. As the people yell in protest, More is sentenced to death.
He says: I am commanded by the King to be brief, and since I am the King's obedient subject, brief I will be. I die His Majesty's good servant, but God's first. Then, he is beheaded.