In A Man for All Seasons, friendship is more of an obstacle than a boon. After he's charged with high treason, Thomas More can't take comfort in his friends because his friends are in favor of More betraying his principles and approving of the king's new marriage.
Norfolk wants him to sign the king's oath "for fellowship's sake." But More can't do this. To him, being truthful to his soul's most central principles is more important than retaining a friendship. The soul is eternal, in More's view, but even close friendships—like his with Norfolk—are susceptible to dissolution and change.
Questions about Friendship
- Does Norfolk understand why his friend, More, won't sign the oath? Or is his worldview too limited?
- What principles would you sacrifice a friendship for? And what wouldn't you sacrifice friendship for?
- Is King Henry VIII's friendship with More a genuine friendship? Why or why not?
- How does power influence friendships? If one friend has more power than another, can the friendship still work serenely? Use examples from the movie.
Chew on This
The English literary critic Dr. Samuel Johnson said that most friendships were just "confederacies in vice or leagues in folly." This is one way of looking at friendship in the movie—and one reason why More can't sustain his relationships with Norfolk or Henry.
The great Catholic theologian Thomas Aquinas said, "Nothing on this earth is to be prized more than true friendship." Does the equally Catholic More contradict this because he's willing to sacrifice friendship for his religious principles?