Study Questions & Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. Why does More
refuse to agree to the oath? What is the difference between More's
understanding of what he's doing and typical expectations of morality
and martyrdom?
2. What does
Roper's conversion from Catholicism to Lutheranism and back again
suggest about Bolt's opinion of faith?
3. How does the
Common Man character implicate the audience in More's struggle?
Suggested Essay Topics
1. Discuss Bolt's approach to
history. What does he choose to focus on and why? What does he omit?
2. How does Bolt's use of water
imagery encapsulate one of the central conflicts of the play?
3. Why does More's wife, Alice,
ultimately reconcile with her husband? How does this emotional climax
relate to the moral struggles presented in the play?
4. Describe the moments when
More shows his passion. In particular, think about his final speech
in court, and his interactions with Norfolk, Alice, and the jailer.
How do his displays of passion differ from one another? How are
they similar? How do they reflect his philosophy about clamoring before
God?
5. Is Sir Thomas More a teacher?
If so, describe the instances in the play in which he tries to teach
others. How does he teach? What do his methods reveal about his
character?
