A Man For All Seasons, Sir Thomas More

What as friends? Charles Kingsley has said, “It is only the great hearted who can be true friends. The mean and cowardly, Can never know what true friendship means.” In the book A Man for All Seasons, Sir Thomas More--a great and wise nobleman, and his “friends” reflect the meaning of Charles Kingsley’ quote. Near the beginning of the book, Richard Rich is trying to get a recommendation from Thomas More so that he can get a position. He tells More that he was trying so hard to get a recommendation. He asks More if they are friends or just acquaintances. More responds, “friends.” Rich thinks that a “friend” would definitely help him to get a job, so he says to More “Well, there! ‘A friend of Sir Thomas and still no office? There must be something wrong with him” (7). “ I thought we said friendship...” (7). Thomas says. Since More refused his request, Rich begin to be

A person who asks nothing from him. Norfolk may be More’s true friend at once but then he wishes More can give in to the King. He asks More to give in the faith of God, which is something that more precious than a recommendation or a agreement with divorce. “ But damn it, Thomas, look at those names...You know those men! Can’t you do what I did, and come with us, for fellowship?”(132). More responses him, “ And when we stand before God, and you are sent to Paradise for doing according to your conscience, and I am damned for not doing according to mine, will you come with me, for fellowship?”(132). Norfolk chooses to give up his belief when it will influence his life. Thomas More on the other hand, insists his faith and since his friendship with Norfolk has been involved a trade of faith, he chooses to let this friend go. If has a friend will make him lose himself, he’d rather has no friends. Even he knows that Norfolk treats him like a real friend, he broke their friendship when Norfolk asks him to give