A Man for All Seasons: Act 2 Summary & Analysis

The Common Man enters and explains that two years have passed since the play’s first act. In the meantime, the Church of England has been created. Although great changes usually come with bloodshed, the Common Man explains that this change came “by simple Act of Parliament.” Still, despite the relatively peaceful transition, he warns that those who are “against the current of their times” risk imprisonment and torture.

The stage lights brighten and reveal More sitting at his desk in his home. Roper is pacing the stage in front of him. Roper is now married to Margaret. He is dressed all in black and wears a cross to signal his allegiance to the Catholic Church. More comments on how quickly Roper’s religious allegiance has shifted. Roper calls More’s decorative chain, a symbol of his Chancellorship, “a degradation.”

More and Roper discuss the new Act of Supremacy, which makes Henry “Supreme Head of the Church in England.” More is glad that it clarifies that the King is head of the Church only “so far as God allows,” a distinction which Roper calls “a legal quibble.” Roper wonders how far More thinks the law of God extends and allows, but More stays quiet. He warns Roper to keep his opinions quiet too, because they’re treasonous.

Chapuys interrupts the conversation, entering ahead of Margaret, who was guiding him to More’s office. Chapuys says he has come to visit More as a fellow “brother in Christ,” though More understands that he is really here on business. Chapuys is upset that More is allowing Henry to divorce Catherine, and argues that More, by being associated with the King, is being corrupted by his actions.

Chapuys says he has heard that More will resign if the bishops in court all submit to the Act of Supremacy. He says that if More were to step down, it would signal to the world that he did not see the King’s marriage, or his claim of religious supremacy, to be legitimate. More’s position of Chancellor would add even more weight to his silent gesture. More is concerned that his actions could be interpreted as signaling anything, especially when Chapuys explains that his abdication could inspire widespread violent resistance.

Roper enters excitedly, announcing that Norfolk has arrived with news. Chapuys quietly pretends to leave, but stays onstage, listening. Norfolk announces that England has severed its connection with Rome. True to his word, More is committed to resigning from his post, and asks for help removing his Chancellor chain. Only Margaret will help him. More sees the creation of the Church of England as a declaration of war against the (true) Catholic Church, and he believes that the war has been waged only because Henry wanted to marry Anne, instead of for some deeper moral reason.

More refuses to answer whether or not he sees Catherine as the legitimate queen. Norfolk is confused as to why More would give up everything—money and power and “the respect of your country.” More responds that he still believes in the power of the Pope, and though he admits that the Pope’s supremacy is merely a theory, it is a theory that is important to him.

More asks Norfolk if he will repeat what More has said. Norfolk says no, and More points out that Norfolk is then breaking an oath of obedience to the King. Norfolk accepts More’s resignation on behalf of the King and tells him that his fear of retribution is unfounded, as the King is “mindful of [More’s] goodness and past loyalty.” As Norfolk leaves, More warns him that there might be a rebellion in the north.

Alice is upset. She is worried the King will punish More. Roper appreciates More’s gesture, though More says he didn’t mean for his resignation to be symbolic. More thinks his resignation was moral, but Will, Alice, and Margaret explain that morality is symbolic for most people.

More believes he will be safe if he and his family remain silent. He cautions Alice to remain silent even under oath.

More dismisses his staff, because he will no longer be able to pay them. He tells the Steward he will miss him, which upsets the Steward. The stage clears, and the Steward explains to the audience that it doesn’t matter if More will “miss” him, as sentimentality means nothing if he cannot pay his wages.

Later, presumably in the palace (although it is not stated), Norfolk and Cromwell talk in a private corner. Norfolk wants to leave More to his silence, but Cromwell believes that More’s “silence” is “bellowing up and down Europe.” The two consider how to pressure More into speech. They believe that he will eventually end up on their side, and that he is not a traitor.

Cromwell believes More can be blackmailed for once taking a bribe. Norfolk believes that More is too upstanding to have ever accepted a bribe, but Cromwell brings in Richard Rich and a Woman—both of whom, he says, can prove More’s guilt. Rich acknowledges Norfolk as an “old friend,” but Norfolk acts as though they don’t know each other well. Cromwell explains the Woman once tried to bribe More with a silver cup, although More did not rule in her favor, coming to a lawful conclusion instead. Rich then received the cup as a gift from More, and later told Cromwell about the bribe. Norfolk argues that this doesn’t count as accepting a bribe, because More gave the cup away to Rich as soon as he received it. Cromwell admits this was just a “trial,” and that he’ll find something else he can use to manipulate More.

Before Norfolk leaves, he tells Cromwell that he isn’t interested in persecuting More. Cromwell tells Norfolk that the King is aware of his friendship with More, and for that reason wants Norfolk to persecute More even more aggressively, to prove his loyalty to the crown.

Once Norfolk has left, Cromwell and Rich begin to scheme. Rich explains he is “only anxious to do what is correct,” and Cromwell agrees that they must obey the law, even if they have to make up new ones themselves. More’s old Steward then enters. Cromwell had called him to the palace to corroborate Rich and the Woman’s story about More accepting a bribe, as he was also present the night More gave Rich the silver cup—but, because Norfolk found the story unconvincing, the Steward was never asked to testify. The Steward asks Rich if he needs a servant now that he is wealthy. Rich says he does, but remembers the Steward being rude to him back when he was poorer. The Steward counters that when Rich was not powerful he was also insecure and assumed people were treating him badly, but now that he is powerful he doesn’t notice and doesn’t feel disrespected.

Back at More’s house, Chapuys has come to visit. Chapuys and his Attendant comment on how cold the house is. They understand that since More stopped actively supporting the King he’s become much poorer. They then discuss More’s goodness. Chapuys thinks that because become More is opposed to Cromwell, then he must be allied with Spain, and therefore he is a good man.

More enters and greets Chapuys. Chapuys delivers a letter from the King of Spain. He insists it isn’t political; it is just a thank-you to More for taking a stand against Henry’s divorce from Catherine. More will not take the letter, which he fears will incriminate him, and insists he has not taken a stand. More explains he is still loyal to the King, which surprises Chapuys, who had assumed More was against England. Chapuys leaves, and complains to no one in particular that More is “unreliable.”

Margaret enters with a bundle of plants for the fire as Chapuys leaves. More describes the fire as a “luxury,” although Alice is upset with their new, lower standard of living. More argues that things aren’t all that bad—they still have food and each other.

Clergy from the Catholic Church have collected money to thank More for opposing the King. Alice wants More to accept their charity, but he is worried that it will appear as though he is being sponsored by the Church.

Roper enters and announces that More must go to Hampton Court to answer charges brought by Cromwell. Roper comments that Cromwell is a devil. More responds that Cromwell is only a lawyer. He tells his assembled family that he is not worried because he believes in the strength of his case.

The scene changes to Cromwell’s office. More has come to hear Cromwell’s accusations, and Richard Rich has joined them. More refers to Rich as an “old friend” and comments on his expensive gown, but Rich does not acknowledge him.

Cromwell explains that the King is displeased both by More’s silence and his resignation as Chancellor, but says the King would reward him for blessing the divorce. More is not moved to action.

Cromwell next brings up up a treasonous woman More once wrote to, but More explains he has witnesses and a copy of the letter that prove he was not conspiring against the King.

Cromwell tries a final strategy to pressure More into approving the King’s divorce. He brings up the King’s book, which More co-wrote many years ago, called A Defence of the Seven Sacraments. Cromwell argues that More actually wrote the book, and says that it is treasonous because it supports the Pope. More denies this, claiming he only answered the King’s legal questions. Finally, Cromwell lets More go home, but first he reads a letter from the King, which denounces More as “traitorous” and “villainous.”

Alone in Cromwell’s office, Cromwell and Rich scheme together. More had said he was not scared because he had nothing to hide, but Cromwell still believes he can find something incriminating in More’s past that would frighten him. Cromwell explains to Rich that “the King’s a man of conscience and he wants either Sir Thomas More to bless his marriage or Sir Thomas More destroyed.” Rich doesn’t understand, and Cromwell tells Rich that he’s confused because he has no conscience.

Waiting at the banks of the river, More is upset that he cannot get a boat to take him home. He runs into Norfolk, who criticizes his behavior. Norfolk thinks it is fine for More to put himself in danger, but it is unfair for him to also put his friends in danger. More suggests Norfolk stop being friends with him, but Norfolk resists. He doesn’t think friendship can be turned on and off like a switch.

More begins to insult Norfolk, in an attempt to end their friendship. He begins with mild insults, but eventually accuses Norfolk of being entirely self-serving. More tells Norfolk that he has no conscience, backbone, or noble pedigree. Norfolk is so upset that he slaps More and exits.

Roper and Margaret find More on the riverbank and tell him that a new Act of Succession has been passed. It will require everyone, More included, to take an oath supporting it. More heads home to read the bill to see if there is anyway he can take it and keep his conscience intact, or if he must avoid it. He makes a speech to Roper and Margaret about man’s purpose, arguing that man is made to serve God, and “if he suffers us to fall to such a case that there is no escaping” then he must try his hardest to escape.

The Common Man enters an empty stage. He explains that he is now a Jailer, and is in charge of watching the newly imprisoned Thomas More. An envelope descends from the sky, and he opens it and reads—it contains the fates of various characters from the play. Cromwell will be found guilty of High Treason and executed in 1540, and Norfolk will be found guilty of High Treason in 1547, although he will not be executed because the King will die before he can sign the order. Rich, in contrast, will continue to rise in rank and will die of natural causes. No longer reading from the letter, the Jailer adds, “so did I” die in bed, of natural causes, “And so, I hope, will all of you.”

At one o’clock in the morning, the Jailer wakes More up. Cromwell, Norfolk, and Thomas Cranmer have come to visit. Cromwell presents More with the Act of Succession, which states that the King’s marriage to Catherine was unlawful because the Pope didn’t have the power to approve it, along with a list of people who have already sworn to it. More explains that he recognizes Queen Anne’s children as legitimate heirs because “the King in Parliament tells me that they are,” but he still won’t agree to the Act. Cromwell argues that if More won’t take the oath he must have treasonous reasons. Norfolk agrees that this is a “fair assumption,” but More counters this, saying, “the law requires more than an assumption; the law requires a fact.” He explains that if his motives are not known, he cannot legally be executed for his motives.

Norfolk is frustrated by More’s silence. He argues that he, along with many others, have already signed the Act, and that, for the sake of “fellowship,” More should too. More again refuses to sign. He says that although Norfolk believed it was the right thing to do and followed his conscience, More’s conscience will not let him. He clarifies that he doesn’t think those who signed the Act are damned—just that he personally would be.

Cromwell calls More out for honoring his doubt more aggressively than he has honored the King of England. More neither agrees nor disagrees, and asks to go to bed. More also criticizes Cromwell for acting like a “dockside bully,” instead of lawfully, with justice.

Frustrated, Cromwell, Norfolk, and Cranmer eventually leave. Cromwell asks the Jailer if he has heard More say anything treasonous. The Jailer has nothing to report, and Cromwell has him swear an oath promising he is telling the truth. Cromwell then promises the Jailer money if he hears anything, though Cranmer adds that the money is not a bribe. In an aside to the audience, the Jailer explains that the offer of money makes him suspicious, and says he doesn’t want to become involved in anything political.

On their way out, Rich and Cromwell talk. Rich wants a new, better, job, specifically that of the retiring Attorney-General of Wales. Cromwell ignores Rich’s request and explains to Rich that time is of the essence. The King is impatient, because More’s continual refusal to sign the Act makes him feel illegitimate. More had acted as a stand-in for the King’s conscience, and as long as he dissents the King’s conscience remains guilty. Cromwell briefly considers torturing More, but decides he’ll fine “some gentler way.”

In the early morning, More’s family comes to visit him. They comment on the awful conditions of the jail, but More argues it isn’t that bad—the worst part is being separated from the people he loves.

Alice, Roper, and Margaret are all happy to see More, but they reveal that they are just visiting to convince him to take the oath. More explains that by taking an oath he would be betraying himself and God. Margaret tells More how sad and cold the house is without him, and More complains that hearing her speak is more torturous than anything the King or Cromwell has come up with.

The Jailer cuts their visit short, and will not accept a bribe to extend it. In his final moments with his family, More tries to compliment the food Alice has brought for him, but she is upset because he will not give in and return to family life. More thinks he can make a “good death,” but she angrily replies, “Your death’s no ‘good’ to me!” However, she eventually concedes that she trusts God’s plan, even if she doesn’t understand it.

The scene changes from the jail cell to a courtroom. The Common Man changes out of his Jailer’s costume. He constructs a makeshift jury out of hats, each representing a man. Half of the hats are costume pieces from roles he has played, including the Steward, Boatman, Innkeeper, and Jailer. Cromwell enters, praising “The Canvas and Rigging of the Law.” He then reminds the Common Man that he will serve as the head juror, or Foreman.

Norfolk begins the trial by charging More with High Treason. However, he makes it clear that if More were to repent now, he would be pardoned. More rejects the offer. Cromwell accuses More of denying the King his title of Supreme Head of the Church of England. More is upset because he has never denied this. He argues “silence is not denial.”

Cromwell counters that there are many kinds of silences. Although More did not speak, he made his opinion known through his silence. Therefore, his silence is “betoken.” It is technically a silence, but it is as loud and as well known as a spoken rejection of the King. More reasserts that if silence is taken to mean anything, then “silence gives consent.”

Cromwell accuses More of using legal jargon to make the case more complicated. More argues that the law isn’t supposed to be a clear “light,” but instead a guide for those who already have a strong conscience. Cromwell responds that conscience is a term used by criminals, and people who serve their consciences are more selfish and less interested in serving the King and the State. More explains that he sees conscience as a personal loyalty, but one that can coexist with a loyalty to the King. In fact, More believes that by following his conscience he can even better serve the King—because his conscience will only allow him to tell the truth.

Richard Rich is called as a witness. He is now the Attorney General for Wales, and is dressed in expensive clothing. He takes an oath and promises to tell the whole truth, but forgets to say “So help me God,” and has to be reminded. He lies under oath, and tells an invented story. He claims he visited More in jail, and while he was there he asked More why he wouldn’t accept the King’s title as Supreme Head of the Church of England. He says More verbally rejected Henry’s title. More immediately protests. He rationalizes that after years of silence, it wouldn’t make any sense for him to suddenly confess, in private, to Rich.

More is given a final opportunity to speak before the jury deliberates, but his fate is already sealed. He accuses Cromwell of persecuting him not for his actions, but for his thoughts, and he calls out Rich for selling his soul for Wales.

The jury does not even take any time to deliberate the case. They immediately declare More to be guilty of High Treason. After years of silence, More finally speaks out and defends himself, although he notes how backwards it is that he only gets to defend himself once he’s already been declared guilty. More explains that the King’s Act of Parliament goes against the “Law of God,” because the King, a man, cannot control the Church, but in spite of this More is still a loyal subject of the King. He reiterates that he meant the King no harm, and that even now he will die for his King. He is angry that he was persecuted not because he denied Henry’s supremacy, which he sees as a large, important religious issue, but because he denied Henry’s divorce.

The scene changes. The courtroom disappears and a chopping block replaces it. The Common Man dons a new costume, becoming the Headsman. More approaches the Headsman, but is intercepted by Margaret. He tries to comfort her, explaining that his execution, and death in general, is the will of God. Cranmer approaches him with a Bible, and More comforts him too, explaining that he is being sent to God, and so he is not upset.

There is a total blackout, during which the Headsman executes More. Then the Common Man, who has changed out of his of his Headsman costume, comes out of the darkness. He cautions the audience not to make trouble, or “if you must make trouble, make the sort of trouble that’s expected.”