Who is better off? A man who changes himself along with his varying environment, or the individual who holds his conscience to a fixed position, no matter his arrangement? It is this question that play write Robert Bolt poses to the audience of the historical drama, “A Man for All Seasons.” If we were to look at facts alone, only one man, so blinded by his “moral squint”, reputes a sway from the ways of the lord, and remains fixed to is conscience. His actions are indeed commendable, and “martyr worthy”, yet ultimately it his inability to compromise with his self and his environment which seals his fate. If we were to consider the manipulative patterns of individuals alike Cromwell, Rich and the Common Man, changing with the seasons to better their positions, it is they who remain “breathing” at the end of the play. Hence is a questions of life or death, one would surely remain changeable not in the need of comfort, but merely for survival. IT is hence this attractive atrocity of betraying “one’s self, for “one’s self” that heightens the needs to change with the season, and not expect an unprecedented forecast.
“In the tangles of his mind” it is Sir Thomas More that remains fixed unlike his ever-changing surroundings to his being. He is a man “untempted” by a comfortable life, and pleasured reputation. His values, and ideologies are unworldly and although others urge him to observe with “common sense” the matters before him, he persists down his self preserved path. To some such actions are indeed selfish, for who could appear to hold their conscience at a wealth higher than the happiness of their family? Though as More explains he just “couldn’t find the other way.” This is indeed Mores strength, and indeed what leads to his reputation as one who is not only honest, but one who is “known to be honest”. It is also his ability to be “anchored to ones principles”, that is indeed his weakness. For as steward Mathew tells the audience, “My master Thomas More would...