A man for all seasons

[kenhung123]

Ok I have some questions about this play

Why did Wolsey need to ask More for his approval for the divorce? Didn't the bishop have more power than More (a lawyer)

[pooshwaltzer]

More is a man who gives up his life because he cannot sacrifice his own commitment to his conscience, which dictates that he not turn his back on what he believes is right or on God. To More, a man’s conscience is his self, so he refuses to betray his own conscience even on pain of death.

Wolsey fell out of Henry’s favor when he failed to secure a papal dispensation for Henry’s divorce, because Pope Clement VII showed his allegiance to Catherine’s nephew, Charles V of Spain. Wolsey’s attempts to threaten and cajole More into agreement was political necessity as More's judgement and opinions carry weight in the Royal courts.

[kenhung123]

Thanks. Your English is very good. Could you also explain what is the act of supremacy and succession?

[pooshwaltzer]

In 1534, Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy, a statute recognizing King Henry VIII as supreme head of the church in England. Henry VIII formally accepted the title the following year, and the nobility were required to swear the Oath of Supremacy, recognizing the King as head of the church. Catholics, most famously Sir Thomas More, who still held the Pope as the supreme head of the church, refused to swear this oath, and were indicted for treason on charges of praemunire.

This act was later repealed by Queen Mary, and restated under Queen Elizabeth I.

On 23 March, 1534, Parliament passed the Act of Succession, vesting the succession of the English Crown in the children of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. This act, effectively, set Princess Elizabeth first in line for the throne, declaring Princess Mary a bastard. It was also proclaimed that subjects, if commanded, were to swear an oath to recognizing this Act as well as the King's supremacy. People who refused to take the oath, including Sir Thomas More, were charged with treason.

    This Act was overridden by the Act of Succession, 1536, which made the children of Jane Seymour first in line for the throne, declaring the King's previous marriages unlawful, and both princesses illegitimate.

[kenhung123]

Thanks man thats awesome