A Man For All Seasons

“MORE. But, Richard, in office they offer you all sorts of things. I was once offered a whole village, with a mill, and a manor house, and heaven knows what else—a coat of arms I shouldn’t be surprised. Why not be a teacher? You’d be a fine teacher. Perhaps, a great one.”

More urges Richard Rich to become a teacher instead of a politician. He argues that a job in office will provide Rich with many temptations in the form of bribes, and that Rich would be better off without these things in his life.

“MARGARET. Do you like Master Cromwell, Master Rich?

ALICE. He’s the only man in London if he does!

RICH. I think I do, Lady Alice!

MORE. (pleased) Good…Well, you don’t need my help now.

RICH. Sir Thomas, if only you knew how much, much rather I’d yours than his!”

More does not outright voice his disapproval for Cromwell and only vaguely alludes to his true feelings. Rich, by associating with Cromwell, cannot hope to gain More’s support or patronage because More will have nothing to do with Cromwell.

“STEWARD. […] My master Thomas More would give anything to anyone. Some say that’s good and some say that’s bad, but I say he can’t help it—and that’s bad […] because some day someone’s going to ask him for something that he wants to keep; and he’ll be out of practice. (Puts cloth with papers, ink, etc., on table.) There must be something that he wants to keep. That’s only Common Sense.”

The steward, Matthew, points out that More’s flaw is his willingness to give things away to others. Eventually, when Henry asks More to give him his ultimate loyalty, More cannot, because he feels he owes his ultimate loyalty to God alone.