A Man for All Seasons: More's Moral Stature In some publications, a character's moral stature plays an important role. In Robert Bolt's play A Man for All Seasons, no other character comes close to More's moral standing. Thomas Cromwell and Richard Rich do not compare to More's moral stature because both Rich and Cromwell lie, while Rich accepts bribes and Cromwell does whatever King Henry VIII tells him, no matter what it is, and they will do whatever it takes to get what they want. Want. More on the other hand, would not lie no matter the consequences, would not accept bribes under any circumstances and would never go against his morals. Sir Thomas More is a good moral man who believes in God and will not lie to anyone to get something. Sir Thomas, in the play, would not be dishonest and would not take oaths without believing them and this is seen when More states to Margaret: “. . . When a man takes an oath, Meg, he holds himself in his hands. Like water and if he opens his fingers then he no longer needs to hope to find himself again. Some men are not capable of this, but I would hate to think that your father is one of them." (Bolt 83) More will not lie and swear oaths just to get out of trouble. Furthermore, More will not be dishonest because he states: “I can help my King by giving him lies when he asks for the truth? Will you help England by populating it with liars? (Bolt 93) Overall, More will not lie to get something he wants. Also, Sir Thomas will not accept any bribe it was given to him as a bribe by a woman who filed a lawsuit in the Court of Claims. More tells Rich how... middle of paper ...... his death by devising a plan that More could not escape , that is, use the law against More and this is shown when Cromwell states, “ . (Bolt 61) Cromwell tried to bring down More by attempting to show the bribes More accepted. He knew Holy Maid of Kent and that it was he who had instigated the king's book. Cromwell was trying to get an innocent man convicted by inventing things to hold him that make him a man without integrity. The moral stature of Sir Thomas Cromwell and Richard Rich never approaches More's reputation. All the characteristics clearly show that More's moral stature is in no way comparable to that of Rich or Master Cromwell. Works Cited Bolt, Robert. The man for all seasons. Toronto: Irwin Publishing, 1963.