Pragmatism Vs. Idealism (a Man :: essays research papers

Morality is often overpowered by worldly pursuits. In A Man for All Seasons,Robert Bolt shows the corruption of those who roll self interest above all other values. His use of such characters as Thomas Cromwell, Richard Rich, Chapuys and Wolsey help convey thiscorruption. There is in time some other character who is a pragmatist that Bolt successfully represents. Thomas More is an wishful thinker as well as a pragmatist, for he is prepared to break away up everything for his beliefs and takes all precautions possible to make his case watertight. It is through and through this pragmatism and idealism that Robert Bolt shows the corruption of the times. Thomas More believed in his ideals to such an extent that he was prepared to sacrifice his life for them, if the read arrived. He was a firm believer in the separation of church service and State. When the fairy tried to start the reformation of England and the church by a simple Act of Parliament called the Act of subordina tion, Thomas refused to sign it. He believed that the indictment of the King was grounded in an Act of Parliament which is directly lewd to lawof God. The King in Parliament cannot bestow he Supremacy of the Church because it is a Spiritual Supremacy And more to this the immunity of the Church is promised both in Magna Carta and the Kings proclaim Coronation Oath(Bolt, p. 92) The marriage was yet another reason why More refused to sign the Act. He knew that if he signed it then he would accept the King as the absolute Head of Church and thus give the King the power to divide with the dispensation which to him was against his morals and holiness. Of course the marriage was associated with other things -attack on the abbeys, the whole reformation policy-to which More was violently opposed. When told by Norfolk that his parish attire is a disrespect to the Kingand his office. More replies that the service of God is not a dishonor to each office(Bolt, p.26) Even though he loves t he King to death as proved by Mores loyalty towards him, he values hismorality and religion more. For his conscience is a little area where I must formula myself(Bolt,p.34). His position is perfectly described in his belief that when statesmen forsake their ownprivate conscience for the sake of their public duties... they lead their country by a short route to chaos.