Characters
Sir Thomas More
Sir Thomas More is portrayed as an author, humanist, and lawyer, initially serving as a member of the King’s Council and eventually rising to the position of lord chancellor of England. In his late forties, More is characterized by his wit and piety, striking a balance between his loyalty to England and his commitment to the Catholic Church. Despite his intellectual and moral integrity, which earns him respect across Europe, More's refusal to accept King Henry's separation from Rome over the king’s divorce and remarriage seals his fate. His unwavering adherence to his conscience leads to his imprisonment and eventual martyrdom, as he remains steadfast against pressure and fear.
Alice More
Alice More, Sir Thomas’s wife, is a staunch and practical woman from a merchant background, contrasting with her husband's intellectual pursuits. In her late forties, she has never learned to read or write. Although deeply in love with Thomas, she often finds his stance on the divorce and his religious loyalty to Rome perplexing and frustrating. However, Alice's profound affection and respect for her husband eventually lead her to accept his decisions, including his choice of death over compromise.
Alice, historically known as Sir Thomas's second wife, embraces her newfound nobility despite her illiteracy. She never fully grasps the political and theological stakes of her husband's moral stand but remains loyal and supportive through his downfall.
Margaret (Meg) More
Margaret (Meg) More, daughter of Sir Thomas and Alice, is in her mid-twenties and notably educated for a young woman of her era. She embodies her mother's straightforwardness and her father's intellectual nuance. More cherishes Meg, and his deepest suffering arises from the separation brought about by his imprisonment. Historically, Sir Thomas More ensured that Margaret received an exceptional education, reflected in her ability to hold her own against King Henry in a Latin exchange without overstepping her bounds.
Margaret's love for her father is evident, as is her independence, which allows her to pursue a relationship with William Roper, despite her father's initial disapproval due to Roper's religious views.
William Roper
William Roper, Margaret's suitor and later husband, is depicted as an opinionated man in his early thirties, whose religious and political beliefs shift throughout the drama. His passionate dedication alternates between fanatic Protestantism and staunch Catholicism. This fervent yet fleeting conviction contrasts with More's quiet but steadfast faith. Though Roper remains loyal to More during his trial, he reveals his lack of firm moral grounding by suggesting that More should simply take the oath—a suggestion More would never entertain.
Roper's transition in religious beliefs ultimately allows More to accept him as a suitor for Margaret, though he lightly admonishes Roper for shifting his principles when circumstances become challenging.
Henry VIII
King Henry VIII of England is characterized as a talented and ambitious ruler in his late thirties. He desires the freedom to act as he pleases while also seeking More’s approval. When this dual desire is unmet, Henry employs flattery, coercion, or threats, ultimately resorting to More’s imprisonment and execution. Henry's actions are often portrayed as those of an intelligent yet petulant child with immense power, driven by impulsive and capricious desires.
Bolt’s portrayal of Henry reveals him at the onset of the corruption for which he is historically notorious. His interactions with More highlight a monarch incapable of genuine loyalty, whose personal desires frequently become state matters, placing those around him in precarious positions.
Thomas Cardinal Wolsey
Thomas Cardinal Wolsey, an aged and rotund prince of the church, serves as lord chancellor of England. Despite his intellect and ambition, Wolsey is unsuccessful in securing...
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the divorce Henry desires, leading to his fall from grace. As the son of a butcher, Wolsey's ascent through ability and intelligence is notable, but his failure to please the king in this crucial task leads to his demise, avoiding trial for treason only through his death in 1530. His decision to appoint More as his successor is intriguing, as it suggests Wolsey recognized More's potential to influence the Pope.
Thomas Cromwell
Thomas Cromwell, initially Wolsey’s secretary, rises through intelligence and ambition, lacking even Wolsey’s minimal scruples. In his late thirties, Cromwell shifts allegiance to the king following Wolsey's fall. Despite rising to power, Cromwell cannot comprehend More’s willingness to sacrifice worldly status for moral conviction. He is tasked by Henry to persuade More to accept the King's annulment and supremacy, a challenge that places Cromwell in a tenuous position. Cromwell’s frustration with More’s obstinacy is palpable, underscored by his disdain for More’s moral steadfastness, viewing it as a hindrance to state affairs.
Historically, Cromwell meets his end not long after More’s execution, falling out of favor and facing charges of High Treason. His pragmatic yet ruthless approach to power contrasts sharply with More's integrity.
Richard Rich
Richard Rich is a young man in his early thirties, whose ambition and intellect are not matched by his moral character. Initially aspiring to be More’s protégé, Rich settles for other opportunities, ultimately becoming Cromwell’s ally. His moral compromises culminate in the perjured testimony that leads to More’s conviction. Rich's trajectory from librarian to a figure of power through deception and betrayal reflects his readiness to abandon ethics for advancement.
Rich’s role as an informer and his eventual rise in Cromwell’s service illustrate his transformation from an innocent figure to a shrewd political player.
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer, the archbishop of Canterbury in his late forties, plays a pivotal role in More's trial. As a contemporary of More in age alone, Cranmer willingly participates in condemning him, aligning with Cromwell. His attempts to sway More fail, prompting him to remind the jailer of the danger of perjury when Cromwell offers a bribe for incriminating evidence. Cranmer’s authority allows him to absolve More, though More disdainfully rejects his services at the gallows, underscoring More’s contempt for Cranmer's compromised morals.
Thomas Howard
Thomas Howard, duke of Norfolk and earl marshal of England, is a high-ranking noble. His life is defined by loyal, often unquestioning service to the king. Despite a friendship with More, Howard endeavors to persuade him to accept the new political landscape. Ultimately, his loyalty to the king prevails, leading him to participate in the tribunal that condemns More. His transition from friend to state adversary is stark, marked by his involvement in More’s trial for High Treason.
Chapuys
Chapuys, the Spanish ambassador, is a seasoned diplomat in his sixties. His primary focus is safeguarding his royal master’s interests. Chapuys frequently attempts to intervene in favor of More, misinterpreting More's moral integrity as a political maneuver. His interactions with More highlight the international political tensions of the era, including efforts to incite rebellion against Henry. Through Chapuys, the gravity of More’s situation and the broader political stakes become apparent.
Chapuys’s purpose within the play extends beyond mere diplomacy; he serves as a narrative tool to reveal the complex political landscape surrounding More’s resistance.
The Common Man
The Common Man is portrayed as a pot-bellied, middle-aged figure, embodying a base and crafty nature. He adopts various guises throughout the play, including More's steward, boatman, jailer, jury foreman, and executioner. Acting as a bridge between the audience and the narrative, the Common Man summarizes off-stage events and comments on the play's themes, reminiscent of Brechtian theater. He stands as the antithesis to More in terms of ethics, yet shares More's instinct for survival. Leo McKern, who famously played this role, lauded it as one of the finest crafted for a character actor.
