OVERALL ANALYSES

CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Sir Thomas More

This story centers on Sir Thomas More's conscience, his attempts to save his life by remaining silent, and his eventual surrender to death rather than act against his conscience. He was a complicated personality, not eager to become a martyr, but unwilling to surrender that area of himself that was his conscience.

Sir Thomas was a gregarious person who enjoyed entertaining friends and acquaintances and discussing those things that were changing the world of the sixteenth century. He was an excellent lawyer who was always honest, an exception in his profession in his era. He was knowledgeable in the important topics of his day. He was a friend of Erasmus.

More was a family man who loved his family deeply and was concerned about their well being even when they were separated. He taught his daughter many things that most women of that day were not taught, such as Latin. He frequently sought to protect his wife by hiding information from her. He felt that if she could honestly say that she did not know when she was questioned about him she would not be inclined to perjure herself to protect him.

For some years after his death, people did not dare to openly praise Sir Thomas, but years later his true value was widely accepted. In the last century he was made a saint by the Catholic Church.

The Common Man

The Common Man is a compilation of useful characters, all people who would not be considered important. The Common Man played the parts of steward, boatman, publican, jailer, jury foreman and headsman. While their tasks were all different, their personalities were all similar. They were all concerned with staying alive at any cost. They were willing to look away while others were harmed rather than risk their lives or freedom to help them.

The Common Man himself introduced the play and many of the scenes. He also had his say at the end of the play. His approach to living is similar to that of the characters he plays. As he becomes the various characters, he pulls related items out of a basket that he has.

Richard Rich

Richard Rich is opposite Sir Thomas More in many respects. He is concerned with acquiring riches and status. He is willing to do whatever is required of him in order to make these acquisitions. He is an easy mark for Thomas Cromwell, who frequently needs dirty deeds done.

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