How does the use of The Common Man influence our understanding of the play?
The Common Man is the engaging, ‘multi-dimensional’ narrator employed by Bolt to unravel the profound complexities of the play ‘A Man for All Seasons’ for the modern audience. Resented and scorned, the Common Man is arguably the lowest class in ‘any century,’ he is essentially the camouflaged chameleon of society, one who goes in hiding- unnoticed in both good and bad times. This is certainly what Bolt intends for the Common Man as he is ultimately a universal representation of those during the sixteenth century in Machiavellian England. Furthermore, the Common Man also bears resemblance to a Greek chorus; and provides a dynamic contrast to the steely character of Sir Thomas More, thus ensuring that viewers have much to ponder even before the play ends.
With his grand declaration of ‘Sixteenth Century England is the century of the common man,’ viewers are immediately seized by the prospect that the Common Man will play both commentator and narrator; it is his tale to tell, and he is free to retell it in any fashion or version he pleases. In monologue form, the play opens with the Common Man’s lamenting his ‘nakedness,’ admitting to his limited abilities and lack of refinement, ‘it is perverse to start a play…With me,’ as he deems himself unworthy to the task of narrating a play ‘ made up of Kings and Cardinals in speaking costumes and intellectuals with embroidered mouths.’ This is Bolt’s alienation device in play, as the Common Man is essentially a ‘ bastardised version’ of Brechtian narration, used ‘ to draw’ the audience in, and not ‘ thrust them’ away. By using the Common Man to communicate with the audience, Bolt hopes to get us involved in the drama, as participants and not just spectators.
As well as being used as a tool to further our connection to the play, the Common Man is employed by Bolt because he allows for a striking contrast to More. Whereas More is a firm believer in the preservation of one’s spiritual identity, ‘a man’s soul is his self,’ the Common Man is equally profound in his views on life, adhering to a pragmatic philosophy, ‘better a live rat than a dead lion.’ Unlike More who values the survival of the soul, the Common Man is untroubled with his lack of scruples, as he acknowledges that ‘it is not difficult to keep alive,’ as long as one is able to put away the ‘conscience,’ something More finds impossible. While the Common Man is prominently used by Bolt to juxtapose More’s character and beliefs, it is also ironic given they both choose ‘silence’ as their means of protection. Despite being a lawyer, More remains ‘silent’ because he foolishly believes that the law can protect him, ‘silence gives consent,’ unaware that the law can so often be manipulated, as the justice system is governed and created by powerful and corrupt people such as Cromwell and Henry. In contrast, the Common Man’s instinctive ability to sniff out danger is essential for his survival, as he ‘wants no part of it.’ When he realises that the stakes are too high and senses a threat, he ‘feel(s) his deafness coming on.’ Unlike More, he prioritises the pursuit of comfort and survival, but he recognises his own limits and weaknesses and therefore survives to tell the tale of both the idealists and the corrupt who inhabit his period of history.
While the Common Man’s role to serve as a dramatic contrast to More’s character is of paramount importance, he is also essential in that he further enhances the audience’s understanding of More’s idealism and reasons for not compromising his beliefs. As Matthew, he correctly predicts More’s imminent downfall, attributing it to his generosity, ‘someday someone’s going to ask him for something that he wants to keep; and he’ll be out of practice.’ He cheekily samples the jug of wine and when questioned by the witty More, his futile response, ‘Bless you sir, I don’t know,’ is far from convincing. The fact that More did not rebuke the Common Man for his dishonesty is significant because it shows that More understands the flaws of human nature, but does not try to change or lecture, but rather advises men like Rich who are ‘adrift.’ More’s affection towards his steward, and to humanity as a whole, is further exemplified when he insists, ‘Matthew, I shall miss you,’ even when the Common Man fails to reciprocate this genuine sentiment. Yet, More can also be at times, exasperated by the Common Man’s incessant cowardice and pragmatic rationalisations, ‘Oh Sweet Jesus, these plain and simple men.’ Regardless, More makes peace with the masked Headsman before his execution, who is in actual fact the Common Man in his final guise, as he forgives him readily, and reassures him ‘to be not afraid of his (your) office.’ Through these brief yet highly important interactions with the Common Man, viewers are allowed valuable insights into More’s character.
Through the Common Man, Bolt is trying to show us that mankind is inherently flawed, afflicted by greed, self-interest and immorality. Despite all his guises, the Common Man is unable to escape his greedy and self-serving ways; behaviour he rationalises through pragmatism. He embodies the failings of all people across time and place and the audience is intended to recognise themselves in the Common Man, as most will betray their principles and values in the pursuit of comfort and prosperity. The many biblical references throughout the play are also Bolt’s attempt to reinforce his assertion that man is a sinner, as he likens ‘Old Adam’ to the Common Man himself. This parallel is significant in that it dates back to the long-held belief that Adam is the father of mankind, and consequentially, humanity has inherited his proclivities; to be tempted to do evil deeds and dismiss the Lord’s teachings. Bolt’s determination to show that we are the reflection of the image he had created, is shown through the Common Man’s grouchy, irritable and streets-smart attitudes. These are all colloquial prose employed by Bolt to help strengthen his contention that the Common Man is a representation of ordinariness, with qualities ‘ that are common to us all,’ as he is essentially‘ the mythical beast The Man In the Street.’ The Common Man’s final lines in the alternative ending are accusing and confronting to audiences, ‘if we should bump into one another, recognise me,’ so as to emphasise that the Common Man encapsulates who we are, and not who we like to think ourselves as being.
Bolt’s Common Man is a crucial element to the play, acting to provoke and draw in the audience, whilst serving as a narrator and a commentator. Although cast as the dishonest steward, the unscrupulous jailer and the masked headsman, it is through these various immoral roles that viewers are given a contrast, and thus better their understanding of More’s beliefs, principles and choices. As such, the Common Man also serves as a ‘fodder’ for the play’s omissions, fitting and conforming to whenever circumstances demand, thus ensuring that the audience are constantly challenged and questioned in areas of values and moralities. Despite the defamatory connotations that many of us will find in his unsavoury conducts, in the end, we can only wonder to what extent are we the Common Man of the 20th century.
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