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33rd out of 220 books
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A Man for All Seasons
by
Robert Bolt
Robert Bolt's classic play about Thomas More, the Catholic saint beheaded by Henry VIII at the birth of the Church of England, is now in trade paperback for the first time.
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
February 12th 1966
by Vintage
(first published January 1st 60)
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James M. Madsen, M.D.
rated it
This is two gems in one: The play itself is unforgettable, and Bolt's introduction is equally so. As Bolt, explains, why did he, a rationalist who is Christian only in the broadest cultural sense of the term, take as his hero a Catholic saint? The answer is More's simultaneous enthusiasm for life in the here and now with his immovable commitment to an idea and to ideals for which it would be no question in his mind to sacrifice the life that he loved so dearly. Bolt thinks that the key lies ...more
Claire
rated it
I'm not going to lie. After reading this book, I'm a little bit in love with Sir Thomas More.
You can't help it after reading Robert Bolt's play, though. He's so witty and charming and kind and gentle, yet so passionately certain of what is right and wrong and what things are worth dying for. King Henry VIII is such a great character in this play, such an overly-jovial spoiled baby, that More looks even more noble by comparison. (In my head I picture him looking a little bit like Cla...more
You can't help it after reading Robert Bolt's play, though. He's so witty and charming and kind and gentle, yet so passionately certain of what is right and wrong and what things are worth dying for. King Henry VIII is such a great character in this play, such an overly-jovial spoiled baby, that More looks even more noble by comparison. (In my head I picture him looking a little bit like Cla...more
As Claire says in her review, I too fell for Sir Thomas More while reading the script and have a lasting fondness for Paul Scofield after seeing his portrayal of More in the 1966 movie. Though I am not Catholic and am not a believer in organized religion and am saddened beyond reason when I think of anyone killing over such an issue, for More to be so clever while being so staunch in his convictions and to stand for his principles -- to argue in fact that it is the principle of standing on his p...more
در پایان کرامول و شاپیس به دو قسمت روشن چپ و راست صحنه وارد می شوند. با دیدن یکدیگر بر جا میمانند به وضعی سرد و دشمنانه.نور کم کم صحنه را روشن می کند.کسی جز این دونفر در صحنه نیست.بعد همزمان با یکدیگر با سرهای افراشته و یک بر به جلو می خرامند و در وسط صحنه از برابر یکدیگر می گذرند.اما همینکه به در خروجی می رسند مکث میکنند پابپا کنان و به ارامی بر میگردند.به حالت تفکر و پرسه زنان به سوی یکدیگر می ایند.کرامول سرش را بالا می گیرد و مبادرت به لبخندی می کند.شاپیس پاسخش را می دهد.بازو در بازوی هم می ا...more
this is a very famous play and i'm not really sure why. thomas more makes an inspiring main character but neither he nor anybody else ever changes and there's not a single surprise or twist in the whole play. just a straight line to martyrdom from page one. it's like one long speech about standing up for principles. it's a well-written speech, but still.
Not only the quintessential stage play, but the Academy Award-winning film starring the great Paul Scoffield as the title character, Sir Thomas Moore. So many great lines, so many remarkable situations, but more than anything, the best example of what characteristics the ultimate man possesses: honor, integrity, self-effacing humor, grit and determination, and, most of all, love of family and country.
Think you can write a play? Given the brilliance of Robert Bolt's body of work (whi...more
Think you can write a play? Given the brilliance of Robert Bolt's body of work (whi...more
When I read this play back in school, I was asked what the meaning of it was by my teacher.
“Some men die in their bed, some lose their head.”
I was keeping with this earned resignation of its protagonist as to the world, but not his beliefs. Yet, it didn’t quite come across at the time.
No matter, the play is still a great read. Bolt doles out true wit without sarcasm or cutting down another person, while also garnished with wisdom.
One great line t...more
“Some men die in their bed, some lose their head.”
I was keeping with this earned resignation of its protagonist as to the world, but not his beliefs. Yet, it didn’t quite come across at the time.
No matter, the play is still a great read. Bolt doles out true wit without sarcasm or cutting down another person, while also garnished with wisdom.
One great line t...more
Megan Fletcher
added it
A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt isn't just a regular play, it is a inside documentary of history. When King Henry VIII is seeking a way to break of from the catholic church in order to divorce to marry his mistress Thomas Moore is his council and conscience to a certain degree.
I really fell in love with Sir Thomas because he is a man of principle. He knows that by his king bending the laws to suite his own desires he is betraying the trust of his people and the church, a church t...more
I really fell in love with Sir Thomas because he is a man of principle. He knows that by his king bending the laws to suite his own desires he is betraying the trust of his people and the church, a church t...more
Erik Graff
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Erik by:
Einar Graff
Shelves:
drama
The DesPlaines Theatre showed its films for fifty cents on weeknights when I was a kid. Dad would take me along any time there was something there that interested him. This was quite often and I saw many films there which are still regarded highly by critics. The theatre, to its credit, would sometimes have a panel to discuss a particularly serious or controversial film after the showing. Who does that anymore?
I saw A Man for All Seasons at the theatre first, probably in 1967 sin...more
I saw A Man for All Seasons at the theatre first, probably in 1967 sin...more
How I Came To Read This Book: I’m struggling to remember what play block I read this in during my advanced English studies. Is it a comparison to MacBeth or Hamlet? I believe the former, so I’ll stick with that.
The Plot: The play takes a look at the real-life character of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-Century Chancellor of England who refused to let Henry VIII divorce Catherine (for lack of offspring) so he could get together with Anne Boleyn. The story makes More out to be something of a...more
The Plot: The play takes a look at the real-life character of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-Century Chancellor of England who refused to let Henry VIII divorce Catherine (for lack of offspring) so he could get together with Anne Boleyn. The story makes More out to be something of a...more
When you read a play at school and it stays with you for life, that indeed says something.
Magnificent writing by Robert Bolt brings to life, in a wonderful and tangible way, the story of an honourable man who refuses, for the good of his very soul, to bow to almost unbearable pressure. Bolt's play was then beautifully brought to the screen with Paul Schofield playing Sir Thomas More and an extremely young John Hurt as the duplicitous Richard Rich. Superb play; superb casting; superb...more
Magnificent writing by Robert Bolt brings to life, in a wonderful and tangible way, the story of an honourable man who refuses, for the good of his very soul, to bow to almost unbearable pressure. Bolt's play was then beautifully brought to the screen with Paul Schofield playing Sir Thomas More and an extremely young John Hurt as the duplicitous Richard Rich. Superb play; superb casting; superb...more
I have seen this movie a couple of times, and loved it--if for nothing else than the actors involved. But what surprised me reading this was how different the play was from the movie. The movie fleshes out the time, place and characters in velvet and brocade, heavy furniture and hautboys. The play, however, is spare and philosophical. I found myself remembering how different the two art forms are: literature and film, playwriting and performance.
Today, we judge a film by how well it hono...more
Today, we judge a film by how well it hono...more
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Well written and thoughtful. With a unique perspective as a non-Catholic, Bolt shows the beautiful rationality of Sir Thomas More's decision to die at the hands of English King Henry VIII. The same decision that gained More sainthood in the opinion of the Catholic Church earns him the respect of all rational and principled people through the writing of Bolt.
A period of time and subject I am not familiar with, the era of Henry VIII and the breaking off with the Church of Rome to form the Church of England, though still a fascinating subject, as most things involving religion and independence of mind are.
There is not much I could add to the reviews, though I did come away thinking it was quite interesting that Thomas More was convicted to death for the thoughts of his heart and not the words of his mouth and that makes me think of the scena...more
There is not much I could add to the reviews, though I did come away thinking it was quite interesting that Thomas More was convicted to death for the thoughts of his heart and not the words of his mouth and that makes me think of the scena...more
This is one of the most moving, inspiring, uplifting, and depressing plays I've ever read. Bolt's portrayal of More's integrity is amazing. And unlike most prefatory material, Bolt's explanation of why he decided to write the play is worth reading.
I read this for my "Ethics for Public Administrators" class last year. I loved it. It is not just a textbook! There is so much in there about being honest and true to your principles. Great story; the only "text" book I have enjoyed reading!
Another book I'd read for my Ethics class. The intense politics was engrossing, written in Old English and in play format. Set during the monarchy of Henry VIII,the story reflects on the principle of doing what is right even when met with extreme opposition. The book made the concept high stakes as the characters must decide whether to oppose the all-powerful king in his desire to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon (a sin in the eyes of the Catholic church, the price for such truth being t...more
The story takes place in 16th century England. But men like Sir Thomas More, who love life yet have the moral fiber to lay down their lives for their principles, are found in every century. Concentrating on the last seven years of English chancellor's life, the struggle between More and his King, Henry VIII, hinges on Henry's determination to break with Rome so he can divorce his current wife and wed again, and good Catholic More's inability to go along with such heresy. More resigns as chancell...more
Though I found it confusing, in the end I really liked this book. A quick-read, though very compeling. However, at times the over-use of complex words makes you want to put it down.
If I could, I would have given this play 4.5 stars.
This play is a dramatic retelling of a portion of the life of Sir Thomas More, the author of UTOPIA, lawyer, writer, and Renaissance humanist. More is most famous for his defiance of his king, Henry the Eighth, over Henry's maneuvering to divorce his wife, Catharine of Aragon, so that Henry could marry Anne Boleyn (in the hopes of fathering a male heir). More was opposed to Luther and the Reformation and resisted Henry's separation...more
This play is a dramatic retelling of a portion of the life of Sir Thomas More, the author of UTOPIA, lawyer, writer, and Renaissance humanist. More is most famous for his defiance of his king, Henry the Eighth, over Henry's maneuvering to divorce his wife, Catharine of Aragon, so that Henry could marry Anne Boleyn (in the hopes of fathering a male heir). More was opposed to Luther and the Reformation and resisted Henry's separation...more
Fascinating book, especially the title and its significance. It is set during the reign of Henry VIII who of course is known for his *ahem* great, personal life, but also for founding the Anglican church. This describes the conflict between him and Thomas More the Lord Chancellor. The philosophy in this book is fascinating. More refuses to give in to pressure and finds "the law" as his refuge. There are some interesting topics that are brought up and that the reader must wrestle with. ...more
Satire and Wit
Throughout the play, the characters with ties to the court participate in confused and misinterpreted exchanges of dialogue. These exchanges both satirize the court and portray the way corrupt morals lead to corrupt and ambiguous speech. In Cromwell’s exchange with the innkeeper, Cromwell humorously states that he can never be quite sure whether he’s duping or being duped when he interacts with such a “tactful” person. Cromwell has a similar exchange with Rich, in which...more
Throughout the play, the characters with ties to the court participate in confused and misinterpreted exchanges of dialogue. These exchanges both satirize the court and portray the way corrupt morals lead to corrupt and ambiguous speech. In Cromwell’s exchange with the innkeeper, Cromwell humorously states that he can never be quite sure whether he’s duping or being duped when he interacts with such a “tactful” person. Cromwell has a similar exchange with Rich, in which...more
A treasure trove of wit and wisdom, set in King Henry VIII's England. An intellectually engaging and powerfully written interpretation of Sir Thomas More's fateful decision to remain true to God and his own conscience, even to the point of death. The 1966 film starring Paul Schofield is one of my all-time favorites.
A few great lines (there are so many to choose from):
More: What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
Roper: I'd cut d...more
A few great lines (there are so many to choose from):
More: What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
Roper: I'd cut d...more
In a real sense, this is a work about how not to let self-esteem be an end in itself (always a deadend), but to combine it with - and base it on - esteem for something more than oneself.
Outstanding lawyer, famous humanist and Chancellor of England, Thomas More was a man who gave every indication of believing in life and believing in himself. Of enormous resourcefulness, confident in his views, yet as free from arrogance as he was from subservience to anyone; fond of life, fond of others,...more
Outstanding lawyer, famous humanist and Chancellor of England, Thomas More was a man who gave every indication of believing in life and believing in himself. Of enormous resourcefulness, confident in his views, yet as free from arrogance as he was from subservience to anyone; fond of life, fond of others,...more
*The 'read date' given is my best guess at the first time I read this play, of course.
Bolt's words are heartbreakingly timeless. I so often thought they looked back to a time of greater honor and it's only been in recent years that I've seen how directly they also speak to the weaknesses of the present and future.
Beautifully written and I will forever hear More's words in Paul Scofield's voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When statesm...more
Bolt's words are heartbreakingly timeless. I so often thought they looked back to a time of greater honor and it's only been in recent years that I've seen how directly they also speak to the weaknesses of the present and future.
Beautifully written and I will forever hear More's words in Paul Scofield's voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When statesm...more
I was first introduced to the movie in history class when I was about thirteen or fourteen, and absolutely adored it; so I sought out the script of the stage play to read as well.
Normally, I am not enamoured by a script when it's merely written words on a page - they usually seem a flat and a dead thing, empty of life and spark. I need to see it enacted and brought to life on the stage or in a movie. Bolt's managed to create a work which succeeds in captivating me on the page alone. ...more
Normally, I am not enamoured by a script when it's merely written words on a page - they usually seem a flat and a dead thing, empty of life and spark. I need to see it enacted and brought to life on the stage or in a movie. Bolt's managed to create a work which succeeds in captivating me on the page alone. ...more
This play was absolutely incredible!!! It is a fascinating, suspenseful and inspiring read that introduces one of the world's greatest heroes, Thomas More. More is a man who refuses to violate his conscience and faith for anything, even in order to save his own life. Every time I reread a certain part of the play, I gleaned different meaning from it, as though I was peeling back the layers of significance. I would 100% recommend that you read this book!
The most thought provoking and heart wrenching play I've read. Bolt captures a man who tries to straddle that line between loyalty to a pig of a king and loyalty to his faith. In the end, every living person Sir Thomas More knows urges him to simply confess his loyalty to Henry rather than suffer execution. Sir More bears the weight of losing his family, his position, and eventually his life with the dignity and moral strength we should all pray for.
This book was okay. I read it for school and had to look at all the deep meaning in it which makes a book less fun to read. It was interesting since I had just been to all the places in the book, but it was still confusing what they were talking about at times. To help you out, Sir Thomas More refuses to sign the oath of supremacy to Henry the VIII because he beleives in God and only God is the ruler or head of the church!
This is a play that is on the classics list that I am going through. I didn't actually read the play but instead got the movie version of it. It won Best Picture in the 1960s and was excellent, although it was a bit slow in the beginning. It's about the life of Sir Thomas More and was quite thought provoking. What a man of integrity and courage who followed what he felt was right, regardless of the consequences.
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From IMDB.com:
Son of a small shopkeeper, he attended Manchester Grammar School. He later said that he made poor uses of his opportunities there. He went to work in an insurance office, but later entered Manchester University, taking a degree in History. A post-graduate year at Exeter University led to a schoolmaster's position, first at a village school in Devon, then for seven years a...more
More about Robert Bolt...
Son of a small shopkeeper, he attended Manchester Grammar School. He later said that he made poor uses of his opportunities there. He went to work in an insurance office, but later entered Manchester University, taking a degree in History. A post-graduate year at Exeter University led to a schoolmaster's position, first at a village school in Devon, then for seven years a...more
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“If we lived in a State where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us good, and greed would make us saintly. And we'd live like animals or angels in the happy land that /needs/ no heroes. But since in fact we see that avarice, anger, envy, pride, sloth, lust and stupidity commonly profit far beyond humility, chastity, fortitude, justice and thought, and have to choose, to be human at all... why then perhaps we /must/ stand fast a little --even at the risk of being heroes.”
—
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“Thomas More: ...And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned around on you--where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country's planted thick with laws from coast to coast--man's laws, not God's--and if you cut them down...d'you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake.”
—
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