Ever-Present Corruption (Man For All Seasons)

The literary focus, however, is placed on the sacrifice of goodness in Richard’s self. From the beginning, Rich is seeking desperately, ambitiously, to jumpstart his rise to power, pleading with Thomas More for even an entry-level position in England’s bureaucracy. However, Thomas More recognizes Rich’s possible weaknesses, or perhaps is simply concerned with his moral fiber, as Thomas advises Rich to teach. Thomas then introduces the symbol of the silver cup, telling

While More stands as a beacon for selfhood and virtue, numerous other characters are shown to be disloyal and easy to manipulate with the promise of something they want, no matter what the ethical consequences may be. Rich displays the folly of the ambitious in the face of inducement, while the Common Man’s acceptance of treachery on his account is a nod from Bolt regarding how your average person may be susceptible to greed-based persuasion. This exceedingly Machiavellian concept is almost a terrifying one – an affront to current ideas of cultural morality. In A Man For All Seasons, corruption is simply a harsh and deadly truth.

Rich that, “[he] should go where he won’t be tempted” (Bolt 7) and that since the cup is a bribe and tainted, More cannot keep it. In this, More is attempting to set an example for Rich. More does tell Rich that if he feels the cup is tainted, he need not take it. Rich begins to show a difference in intentions and opinions than More, selling the cup for money and a new set of fashionable clothes, symbolically showing the beginning of his acceptance of corruption. The cup comes into play numerous times throughout the play, this attempt at teaching Rich about vice quite ironically assisting Cromwell into convicting and persecuting Mo

Some topics in this essay:
Richard Rich, Cromwell Chapuys, Devil Cromwell, Common Man’s, Despite Rich, Collector Revenues, Wales Rich, Sir Thomas, Sadly Rich, , beginning rich, silver cup,