Bird
A Man for All Seasons: Questions on the Play – Act Two
ACT TWO
Scene 1. pp. 47-57 - Home of Sir Thomas More
1. Bolt has decided to skip two years in history and he uses the Common Man to summarize the intervening events for the audience. The Common Man reports that two Acts of Parliament have been passed. Do some Internet research and summarize what The Act of Supremacy and The Act of Succession state? What was the Treasons Act? The Act of Succession, passed in March of 1534, states that the child of Henry and his first wife Catherine, Princess Mary, would now be considered a bastard and therefore not in line for the crown. The child of Henry and Anne Boleyn, Princess Elizabeth, would be next in line for the crown. The Act of Supremacy, passed in Nov. 1534, made King Henry the head of the new Church of England. This new religion replaced the Catholic Church with the Pope at its head and required all citizens to be willing to take a vow of allegiance to this Act. The Treasons Act was later enacted. This act made it possible to put to death any person who refused to take a vow pledging their acceptance of the Act of Supremacy. This is eventually how Thomas More was executed for treason.
2. What is the “legal quibble” Roper speaks of in regard to The Act? (p. 48). This Act of Supremacy states that King Henry is the head of the Church of England “as far as the law of God allows.” More believes that this is a excuse, since he does not think that God would allow it at all.
3. Why doesn’t More like being called a saint by Chapuys? More knows that people are often made Saints after they die defending the Catholic Church. He knows that Chapuys, an ambassador from Spain who is loyal to the Queen, wouldn’t mind much if More became a martyr in defense of the Catholic Church.
4. What does Chapuys discuss with More? How does More treat Chapuys? (p. 50, 51) Chapuys tries to give More a letter from the King of Spain. He also tries to convince More to renounce as
ACT TWO
Scene 1. pp. 47-57 - Home of Sir Thomas More
1. Bolt has decided to skip two years in history and he uses the Common Man to summarize the intervening events for the audience. The Common Man reports that two Acts of Parliament have been passed. Do some Internet research and summarize what The Act of Supremacy and The Act of Succession state? What was the Treasons Act? The Act of Succession, passed in March of 1534, states that the child of Henry and his first wife Catherine, Princess Mary, would now be considered a bastard and therefore not in line for the crown. The child of Henry and Anne Boleyn, Princess Elizabeth, would be next in line for the crown. The Act of Supremacy, passed in Nov. 1534, made King Henry the head of the new Church of England. This new religion replaced the Catholic Church with the Pope at its head and required all citizens to be willing to take a vow of allegiance to this Act. The Treasons Act was later enacted. This act made it possible to put to death any person who refused to take a vow pledging their acceptance of the Act of Supremacy. This is eventually how Thomas More was executed for treason.
2. What is the “legal quibble” Roper speaks of in regard to The Act? (p. 48). This Act of Supremacy states that King Henry is the head of the Church of England “as far as the law of God allows.” More believes that this is a excuse, since he does not think that God would allow it at all.
3. Why doesn’t More like being called a saint by Chapuys? More knows that people are often made Saints after they die defending the Catholic Church. He knows that Chapuys, an ambassador from Spain who is loyal to the Queen, wouldn’t mind much if More became a martyr in defense of the Catholic Church.
4. What does Chapuys discuss with More? How does More treat Chapuys? (p. 50, 51) Chapuys tries to give More a letter from the King of Spain. He also tries to convince More to renounce as