A Man For All Seasons – Movie Questions
Pre-movie questions
1. Write a 1-2 sentence description of each character, paying particular attention to political significance, if any. Wikipedia is acceptable for this one ... just this once: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Man_for_All_Seasons_(1966_film)
a. Sir Thomas More
b. Richard Rich
c. Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk
d. Cardinal Wolsey
e. Oliver Cromwell
f. Margaret (Meg)
g. William Roper
h. Alice
i. Henry VIII
j. Anne Boleyn
2. What was the First Act of Supremacy? (the one in 1534, not the one in 1539)
3. What was the Oath of Supremacy?
A Man For All Seasons – Movie Questions
(Some of these questions require more thought than you will have time for while watching. In those cases, write enough notes so that you can go back later and expand on your answers.)
1. Opening scene:
More is summoned by Cardinal Wolsey to Hampton court. A discussion about Wolsey ensues:
Norfolk: “What is the man? A butcher’s son.”
More: “Chancellor of England, too.”
Meg: “No, that’s his office. What’s the man?”
a) Taking into account the subtext behind the lines (communicated by each actor’s tone and expression), what insight does this interchange give us about More?
b) What did Margaret mean by her question?
c) What does Richard Rich mean when he says “ ... when a man rises so high, so swiftly, we must think that he was misplaced in his origins.”? Keep this statement in mind ... we will revisit it later in the film.
d) Norfolk counsels More to “keep clear of Wolsey.” What reason does he give?
2. At Hampton Court:
a) What does Cardinal Wolsey mean by “that horrible moral squint” (referring to a quality of More’s).
b) Why is King HenryVIII demanding a divorce from his current queen, Catherine?
c) What kind of “help” does Wolsey solicit from More? What is More’s response?
d) Does More elaborate on his reasons?
3. Scene at the dock:
a) Why does More counsel Richard Rich to become a teacher rather than seek a position at court? How is this consistent with what we saw of More in the Wolsey scene?
b) What is significant about the fact that More gives away the silver cup? What is significant about the fact that Richard Rich accepts it?
4. In the house with daughter, Meg, and her suitor, Will Roper:
a) What reason does More give for his current refusal to condone the marriage?
b) What character quality does More value, as seen in his statement “Now, listen, Will. Two years ago you were a passionate Churchman. Now you're a passionate Lutheran. We must just pray that when your head's finished turning, your face is to the front again.”
c) Is it interesting to you that, despite his vast differences with Roper, More is still open to the marriage (under certain conditions)? Think about Roper’s boldness and conviction. Why would More be “sympathetic” to these aspects of Roper?
d) Does More answer Meg’s very direct questions about his meeting with Wolsey? Alice’s? (keep your observation in mind)
5. Wolsey’s deathbed:
a) Why does Norfolk say “the king would have you to die in the tower”? What has Wolsey failed to do that would invoke the king’s anger? (if you’re not sure, answer this after you watch the next scene)
b) To whom does Wolsey’s position (Chancellor of England) go?
6. Henry VIII’s visit to More’s home:
a) What specific reasons does Henry give to More regarding his desire to divorce Catherine?
b) Why does Henry particularly value and want More’s support?
c) Cromwell asks Rich “are you coming my way?” --- what is the double meaning?
7. Cromwell and Richard Rich:
a) Cromwell asks Rich “what kind of thing would you repeat or report?” What, after some prompting, is Rich’s response? What does Cromwell want of Rich?
b) Do Rich’s actions surprise you? Why or why not? Support your answer.
c) Comment on this scene as it relates to question #1c.
8. Thomas More’s resignation:
Opposed to Henry’s declaration that he is “Supreme Head of the Church in England”, More resigns his position as Chancellor.
a) Why does More decline to give Norfolk an opinion about the king’s marriage?
b) What does Norfolk mean by “This isn’t Spain, you know. This is England.” What is the irony?
c) Comment on More’s statement to his servants that he is “no longer a great man.”
9. Thomas and Alice:
a) More is resolved to remain silent about his personal opinion about the Act of Supremacy and the king’s marriage. Why is this crucial?
b) He not even tell his family --- is this merely for their physical protection? Explain.
10. Cromwell, Norfolk and Rich:
a) Explain why More’s silence is viewed as a problem, and why his endorsement of the king would hold such weight.
b) What irony do you see in this?
11. More and Cromwell at Hampton Court: How would you describe the way in which More handles Cromwell’s interrogation?
12. On the dock with Norfolk: More emphasizes the difference between a man’s “appetites”, pride, opinions (etc.) and the man himself (he also alluded to this in the scene with Norfolk after the resignation). What do you think More would say distinguishes one from another - what is the difference? (expand on your answer after you have seen the whole movie)
13. The Oath: More tells Meg that he might be able to take the Oath (of Supremacy), depending on its wording. What does this scene (along with how More has been portrayed so far) reveal about More’s view of the relationship between God and man?
14. The Tower of London: More finds the Oath to be worded in such a way that he cannot take it (implied, not shown), and is subsequently imprisoned in the Tower of London. When he is questioned by Cromwell, Norfolk and the Archbishop, what insight do you gain about his convictions? (Does he believe that he is “right” and the others are “wrong”? What part does “conscience” play here?)
15. Family visit:
a) Why has More’s family been “allowed” to visit him?
b) What are Meg’s two attempted “arguments”, and how does More refute them?
16. In court:
a) What is the charge?
b) Comment on the language used by Cromwell. What about Cromwell’s tactics in general - how are they “faulty”?
c) How does More, despite his silence and sound reasoning, come to be sentenced?
Post-movie question
In a substantial paragraph, reflect on this quote by More (to Meg during the visit in the Tower). Can you connect this to other texts that we have studied?
“When a man takes an oath, he’s holding his own self in his own hands, like water. And if he opens his fingers then, he needn’t hope to find himself again.”
Mrs. Danforth, British Literature