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November 07, 2005
Keepin' it simple
Bolt, A Man for All Seasons -- Drama as Literature (EL 250)
MORE Why not be a teacher? You'd be a fine teacher. Perhaps even a great one.
RICH And if I was, who would know it?
MORE You, your pupils, your friends, God. Not a bad public, that...Oh, and a quiet life.
I think that this passage really shows the differences between the two characters' motives in this play. Rich is trying to become someone important, someone famous. He wants people to know him. By reading More's suggestion to Rich, we can see that More's attitude toward life is more laid back. He is simply putting things in his life in order of importance. God and his family are the most important to him.
It just seems so ironic though, that Rich is really pushing success in his life. He may be desperate but still he is trying to force himself into power. More, on the other hand, is living life. Enjoying his family and putting God first. Perhaps Bolt is trying to send his readers a message. Maybe he's just trying to tell us to, "Chill out" and not take personal gain so seriously. He really shows the strength that More has to hold strong to his values and not be swayed by outside forces, especially the King of England.
People sometimes in life get too anxious to make things happen on their own.(Henry VIII) Sometimes we make life out to be too complicated wherein if we would just put the important things first, everything works out the way it's supposed to. This play really put things in perspective for me, bringing me back to realize what matters the most, God and family.
Posted by AndrewLoNigro at November 7, 2005 11:04 PM
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Comments
Rich also likes people of social status and wealth. He has poor morals, especially in comparison to More, and will submit to anyone for a share in their power. He is an unprincipled, self-seeking opportunist - rather the opposite of More.
Posted by: Kayla Sawyer at November 8, 2005 02:55 PM
I think that King Henry was being very selfish as well trying to get a divorce from his wife because she can not give birth to a single boy. I think that the power has gone to his head and it is not making him think clearly and fully. He is rushing into as you said Andy. I think he just needs to sit back and really think about what he is doing.
Posted by: Denamarie at November 8, 2005 10:52 PM
I think these lines also characterize what is regarded as a "worthy" professon in high society. Apparently, as Rich sees it, teaching is not a very noble occupation. But as you said, More seems to have his priorities sorted out a little better (or at least a little closer to what we think today). I think you're right, More does a better job of living...while Rich seems to be playing the game of life.
Posted by: Lorin Schumacher at November 8, 2005 11:11 PM