AMFAS Key Ideas

[kenhung123]

What are come key ideas that every student doing AMFAS should know?

It would be great if we can compile a list together.

I noticed the role of the Common Man in the play, corruption at the time, decision of More to not conform to corruption, consequences of the actions of More, Rich and Cromwell to be quite important and can be discussed in most essays.

[sajib_mostofa]

Maybe the use of props such as the goblet and the candle as well as water imagery.

[98.40_for_sure]

- Common man is the embodiment of human desires; avarice, zeal and gluttony.
- The innate wants of each character.
- The differences between the Common Man's various guises.
- The concept of synthetic law vs. divine law.
- Pragmatic necessity vs. ethical fortitude.
- Perfunctory sycophancy vs. pertinent individuality.
- Metaphoric solid ground (thickets) vs. unstable water (currents & eddies).
- Symbolism of various items as well as characters. eg. oath, cup, clothing, Common Man, Meg (renaissance, the introduction of a new paradigm)
- Duty to king and country.
- More's downfall corresponds with Rich's societal ascension.
- Contrasting mechanisms to highlight More's attributes. (all characters can be explored to be an instrument in opposition to More in one way or another)
- The title of More has transcended from 'traitor' and 'failed statesmen' to 'saint' and 'christ-like figure'.
- Perpetual retention of esoteric values vs. exchanging soul for transitory material wealth.

That's just a few ideas that came off the top of my head. Keep contributing! It's good to get others' interpretations of the play.

[kenhung123]

- Common man is the embodiment of human desires; avarice, zeal and gluttony.
- The innate wants of each character.
- The differences between the Common Man's various guises.
- The concept of synthetic law vs. divine law.
- Pragmatic necessity vs. ethical fortitude.
- Perfunctory sycophancy vs. pertinent individuality.
- Metaphoric solid ground (thickets) vs. unstable water (currents & eddies).
- Symbolism of various items as well as characters. eg. oath, cup, clothing, Common Man, Meg (renaissance, the introduction of a new paradigm)
- Duty to king and country.
- More's downfall corresponds with Rich's societal ascension.
- Contrasting mechanisms to highlight More's attributes. (all characters can be explored to be an instrument in opposition to More in one way or another)
- The title of More has transcended from 'traitor' and 'failed statesmen' to 'saint' and 'christ-like figure'.
- Perpetual retention of esoteric values vs. exchanging soul for transitory material wealth.

That's just a few ideas that came off the top of my head. Keep contributing! It's good to get others' interpretations of the play.

Nice! Thanks for the great contribution!

[kenhung123]

A few AMFAS questions perhaps someone could answer:
What does More mean when saying:
"a bitch got over the wall"
"A bulldogs pedigree" to Norfolk
"It's a lion I am married"
"I will give the devil the benefit of the law for my own safety sake"=> Who the benefit and what does he mean by my own safetly? Is it suggesting More takes actions to ensure his life is safe?

Also a rather weird quote by Norfolk and Cromwell "This isn't Spain you know"

Is Roper a Protestant member?

[kenhung123]

Bump :S

[Greggler]

bitch got over the wall - he talking about the water spaniels. suggesting that as water spaniels are to water, a man is to his own sense of self. therefore he's questioning norfolk's selfhood.

it's a lion he married - more is just complementing alice's courage and ability to still love him whilst she still has no idea what he is doing and is unable to comprehend why.

more would give the devil the benefit of the law - this quote just demonstrates that more has the utmost faith in the law to protect him. ultimately, it is this belief, along with a few others, which bring about his demise as cromwell and the king just change the laws to what they need them for.

this isnt spain - spain was governed by the church, england, since henry declared himself supreme ruler of the church of england, is not.

also, one thing to keep in mind, is that more is a singluar/lone character. everyone else is pretty much opposed to him in some way.

[kenhung123]

Thanks a lot!