Conscience is the act of recognizing the moral quality of a specific action through reason. This concept is exemplified by Thomas More in the film A Man for All Seasons, where he consistently displays his strong moral conscience. Despite living in a time marked by hedonism, materialism, and corruption, Thomas remains steadfast in his commitment to serve God, eschewing worldly possessions.
Saint Thomas More, who held prestigious positions as a judge and counselor in the court of the King before becoming the Chancellor of England, frequently faced bribery attempts in his role as a judge. These attempts aimed at influencing his court rulings. On one occasion, a woman gave Thomas a silver chalice in an effort to sway his decision. However, because he attached no importance to material possessions, Thomas gave it away to Richard Rich. Richard Rich, a young man seeking a position in the court, had been recommended by others to Thomas. However, due to Thomas’s belief that Richard would be unable to handle the temptations associated with political jobs, he had previously rejected his recommendation. Furthermore, Thomas refuses to allow Will Roper to marry his daughter because Roper had abandoned the church to follow Luther. Eventually, when Roper’s views changed, Thomas grants him permission to marry his daughter.
Thomas frequently encountered such situations, but he was particularly troubled by an unethical matter regarding King Henry VIII’s marriage. The King desired to divorce his wife, who was incapable of bearing children, in order to marry his mistress. This desire stemmed from the King’s wish to father a son to carry on his legacy. Despite seeking Thomas’s blessings and approval, the devout saint refused to acquiesce to the King’s wishes. This greatly displeased the King, who even made a journey across a vast lake to visit Thomas in hopes of swaying his opinion on the divorce matter, but to no avail. Unhappy with Thomas’s steadfastness, the King became increasingly discontented. Ultimately, Thomas chose to resign from his role as England’s Chancellor, without disclosing his reasons to anyone. As viewers of the movie, it is implied that this decision was driven by his unwavering moral principles. Additionally, Thomas suffers the loss of dear friends due to his beliefs. Nevertheless, disregarding Thomas’s approval, King Henry proceeds with marrying his mistress. He further asserts himself as the head of the Church of England and demands that the Bishops relinquish their loyalty to the pope through bribery and even threats.
Later in the movie, Thomas is interrogated by Oliver Cromwell, who became the Chancellor of England after Thomas resigned. Thomas is questioned about an alleged bribe that he was thought to have accepted, although he had not. Thomas repeatedly refuses to approve of the King’s marriage for undisclosed reasons. The King’s people are so disgusted with Thomas that he is unable to secure a boat ride home and must walk instead. Along the way, he meets Meg, who informs him about an oath that is being enforced, requiring everyone under the King’s rule to swear loyalty. Naturally, Thomas refuses to take this oath and is subsequently placed in solitary confinement. Throughout this period, the seasons change in a full cycle, perhaps why the movie is called A Man for All Seasons. After some time, Thomas is questioned again and then returned to prison. Eventually, he is brought to trial for his refusal to pledge loyalty to the King. During the trial, Richard is called upon to testify against Thomas, alleging that Thomas had made traitorous remarks about the King. As a result, Thomas is sentenced to death. In his final moments, Thomas reveals his true reason for opposing the King’s divorce and the Church of England. His parting words are: “I die the King’s good servant but God’s first.”
Thomas More’s unwavering commitment to his beliefs is extraordinary. He displayed tremendous courage, even in the face of death, refusing to succumb to external pressures. In his devotion to the Lord, Thomas prioritized his faith over his family. Contemplate the impact if all individuals emulated Thomas More’s actions – it is undeniably evident that Saint Thomas More was a man suited for any circumstance.
