AMFAS discussion

[kenhung123]

"More says to Chapuys 'I have taken no stand!'"
To what extent do you agree with More?

I think this is an awfully hard topic because isn't this topic based around the idea that More could not compromise his moral for his own safety sake?

[LOVEPHYSICS]

Essentially the prompt is asking you to discuss about More's silence, and to what extent is it portrayed, or viewed by others to be an 'opposition' even when More insists that he has not 'taken any stand.' Probably also go into how Cromwell and Henry manipulates his silence to equate to opposition and akin to denouncing the King... etc More should have known better that his 'silent' opposition can only result in one outcome...

[Greggler]

i did this topic just recently.

since it asks to discuss the 'extent' i said he didnt make a stand until he was forced to.

1. discuss how in an attempt to serve both king and god he refuses to take a stand
2. Discussed how initially refused to take a stand to save his friends and family
3. unable to 'serve two masters' he is finally forced to make a stand to retain his sense of self

soo.. ultimately to save himself and those around him he initially did not take a stand (one could argue), and instead his silence was misinterpreted by this corrupt world obsessed with condemning him. yet in the end, he is forced to make a sacrifice in order to preserve his selfhood.

[LOVEPHYSICS]

"1. discuss how in an attempt to serve both king and god he refuses to take a stand
2. Discussed how initially refused to take a stand to save his friends and family
3. unable to 'serve two masters' he is finally forced to make a stand to retain his sense of self"

I dunooo, feels a bit confusing. I think you should head into how the other characters perceive him and show how his silence is manipulated into an opposition. Ah wells, then again, thats only my opinion.

[Greggler]

yeah, you would discuss that in the final paragraph - how in this chaotic world he is forced to make a decision to save his sense of self.

[kenhung123]

Ooo thanks guy awesome ideas.

Btw, does anyone know exactly what is high treason? It is the reason why Cromwell died?

[m@tty]

High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps the best known examples of high treason.

[kenhung123]

Haha thanks matty.

Guys, I realised that the play doesn't explain any benefits of Cromwell? We only know that he is continuously trying to 'please the king' but we don't know what he gets from it?

[98.40_for_sure]

KENHUNG, lets discuss some amfas stuffs. im clueless about this book mang

[kenhung123]

Yea...I am quite lost :S

[kenhung123]

On a serious note, do you know the answer?:S

[sajib_mostofa]

On a serious note, do you know the answer?:S

I guess the only thing you could learn from Cromwell is that those who are practical and put away their 'private conscience' are the ones that profit and succeed from the world they live in (in terms of maternal gains and achieving a higher position in society).

[kenhung123]

Thanks man

[LOVEPHYSICS]

Cromwell shows that it is better to maintain the pragmatism of sixteenth century england instead of adhering to conflicting ideals, given that he succeeded in given Henry the good conscience he craved and survived, albeit temporary.

[kenhung123]

Thanks for the further clarification.

I am now planning for this topic which I am again struggling with. Do you AMFAS guys think that those questions that ask about modern relevance and impact on audience to be the hardest?

For this question "For all our admiration of More, is is the Cromwells of this world who reflect reality and credibility"

I have these ideas:

As the Common Man states "the sixteenth century, the century of the Common Man, like all other centuries" suggests that the idea of survival is indeed the far most important even in today's society

Bolt demonstrates that corruption is prevalent at the time as More is the sole individual whom is steadfast to his principles as opposed to the prominent numbers of pragmatists such as Cromwell, Norfolk and Rich

Then I acknowledge that Bolt ultimately suggests that although More's steadfastness to his principles are not rewarded rather those like Rich and Cromwell who act according to what is "convenient" they are to be admired. (Not really sure if this is relevant actually)