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Robert Bolt
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A Man For All Seasons (Modern Classics) Kindle Edition

by Robert Bolt (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 663 ratings

A Man for All Seasons dramatises the conflict between King Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More. It depicts the confrontation between church and state, theology and politics, absolute power and individual freedom. Throughout the play Sir Thomas More's eloquence and endurance, his purity, saintliness and tenacity in the face of ever-growing threats to his beliefs and family, earn him status as one of modern drama's greatest tragic heroes.

The play was first staged in 1960 at the Globe Theatre in London and was voted New York's Best Foreign Play in 1962. In 1966 it was made into an Academy Award-winning film by Fred Zinneman starring Paul Scofield."A Man for All Seasons is a stark play, sparse in its narrative, sinewy in its writing, which confirms Mr Bolt as a genuine and solid playwright, a force in our awakening theatre." (Daily Mail)
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  1. Print length
    130 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Methuen Drama
  4. Publication date
    December 4, 2013
  5. File size
    3.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A Man for All Seasons is a stark play, sparse in its narrative, sinewy in its writing, which confirms Mr Bolt as a genuine and solid playwright, a force in our awakening theatre."-"Daily Mail"

From the Inside Flap

play about Sir Thomas More, the Lord chancellor who refused to compromise and was executed by Henry VIII.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00GMIUE28
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Methuen Drama; 1st edition (December 4, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 4, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 130 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 663 ratings

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Robert Bolt

Robert Bolt

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
663 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's writing engaging and consider it a classic play. Moreover, they appreciate its ethical content, with one review highlighting its timeless lesson of personal conscience. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its character study, with one customer describing it as a great depiction of a true human martyr.

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29 customers mention "Readability"25 positive4 negative

Customers find the book engaging and easy to read, with one customer noting it has many memorable lines.

"...This is a good, short read that draws you into the drama." Read more

"...Now buy it and read it. It's an easy read with subtle nuances that you will definitely appreciate. You will not regret it." Read more

"...There are some very memorable quotes in this play that anyone wanting to understand the law would do well to study...." Read more

"Robert Bolt is at his best here with a truly thought-provoking piece of theatre. Ethics, morals, life without compromise...." Read more

11 customers mention "Ethics"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the ethical content of the book, with several noting it provides insight into significant themes, and one customer highlighting its timeless lesson about personal conscience.

"...Its theme is religious freedom, but it's also about government, and how too much power to the center can influence everyone's understanding of..." Read more

"...Ethics, morals, life without compromise. How stand up to the most powerful man/ruler in your life?..." Read more

"a true saint for all ades" Read more

"...The work is meticulously researched with minor changes made for dramatic purposes. Many memorable lines...." Read more

10 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the story quality of the book, describing it as a classic. One customer notes it is based on real events, while another mentions it provides a modern description of a historical event.

"...The conversations in this book are quite relevant throughout history, even in our day and time...." Read more

"...It is an excellent STORY for all seasons...and all generations. Now buy it and read it...." Read more

"A modern description of a historical event, this play describes the tribulations of Sir Thomas More during the split between the Roman Catholic..." Read more

"The Man For All Seasons is a timeless story because it discusses and illustrates man's very most profound subject...." Read more

7 customers mention "Play quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers praise the play's quality, with one noting it's a classic modern English work.

"...It's a great play, and when re-reading it the meaning was clear and beautiful." Read more

"...The film was good , so I got the original book to read." Read more

"What's to discuss? This is a classic modern English play. Now that the Wolf Hall series is out, Thomas More is getting a much more..." Read more

"a great play and ideas of principal and virtue. a classic, it is undated after all these years." Read more

4 customers mention "Character study"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character study in the book, with one noting it's a great depiction of a true human martyr, while another describes it as an intriguing historical figure remembered for his upright ethos.

"...If you're not into ethics, it's also a character study...." Read more

"...Sir Thomas More did, and lost his head, but he is remembered for his upright ethos...." Read more

"...No one was disappointed. A great depiction of a true human martyr...." Read more

"...know about Sir Thomas More's life, he's definitely an intriguing historical figure." Read more

Damaged book..
2 out of 5 stars
Damaged book..
Alright a little irritated I paid full price for a damaged book. Looks like a sticker was on it they pulled it off and pulled book with it. Just annoying.....
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Kreative Pen
    5.0 out of 5 stars A State where virtue was profitable
    Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    "If we lived in a State where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us good, and greed would make us saintly. And we'd live like animals or angels in the happy land that needs no heroes." ~Sir Thomas More

    I haven't read a play since I was in high school, during my drama club days when I actually participated in a play. While I am not the greatest fan of period pieces, the lessons of corruption - morality - politics, and the common man remain evident through the evolution of time, place, and opportunity.

    Is there a blurred line or expectation of compromise between bowing down to the pressures of choosing the populist wrong in exchange for what is right and just? The conversations in this book are quite relevant throughout history, even in our day and time.

    Henry VIII defied the law of the church by pushing for permission to marry the widow of his deceased brother. He has now become heir to the thrown but doesn't have a wife. Henry knows what the scripture says in Leviticus 18:16 "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife." Yet he pushes the church anyway to grant his wish to marry Catherine, his brother's widow. The problem comes when Catherine is unable to bear him a male heir and he wants the marriage annulled so he can marry another woman who will bear him a son.

    The pressure is on Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas More who is committed to the covenant of the church and morally he cannot agree to chang the rules back just to suit King Henry's desires. Thus, he is thrown into jail. During the only visit More was allowed to have, his family (his wife Alice, his daughter Margaret, and his son-in-law William Roper) comes to see him in prison. They plead with him to compromise his belief about the annulment, but he sticks with his commitment and sorrowfully asks them to leave and move out of town.

    Thomas Cromwell and The Duke of Norfolk who were supposed to be More's friends maliciously craft grounds to have More put on trial for treason. It was interesting to me that when Cromwell addressed the jury, trying to demonize More in order to support his argument for his conviction, he said this, "There's nothing like darkness for sharpening the ear, and we listen." He further made this comment in his commentary, "So silence can, according to circumstances, speak. Consider, now, the circumstances of the prisoner's silence."

    Immediately they had Sir Thomas More beheaded. Even though More knew his demise, he stuck to his conscious and commitment. This is a good, short read that draws you into the drama.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Alani V
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read (should be required reading for all students)
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    It never fails: The books are always better than the movies. That is especially true in this case. It has been a while so even though I remembered the main story line, I'd forgotten a lot of the details which, of course, make it such an excellent read.

    If you're looking for crib notes material here, you've come to the wrong place. Many others have already provided a brief synopsis of the story line, as well as direct quotes. As with all good books you have to READ it to fully appreciate it.

    A Man for All Seasons is appropriately titled, and it is interesting how, in my opinion, it is much more applicable to today's society than to past generations. It is an excellent STORY for all seasons...and all generations.

    Now buy it and read it. It's an easy read with subtle nuances that you will definitely appreciate. You will not regret it.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Elena M. Miller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wish it had been required reading in high school
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    As a community college student I believe this book would be an excellent addition to any list of political novels for required reading. Its theme is religious freedom, but it's also about government, and how too much power to the center can influence everyone's understanding of morality and values. Because King Henry the VIII said so, there were new definitions for marriage. Was he right? Most people now would say yes, but Thomas Moore speaks of objective truth and how it cannot be changed despite humanity willing it changed.
    If you're not into ethics, it's also a character study. Robert Bolt isn't/wasn't Catholic, so this isn't him gushing about a saint, but he did make Thomas Moore entirely admirable and yet human. He was primarily a man of the law, and when he defends himself in the play he always goes by the law, not religious sentiment, so you see the other courtly figures conspiring against him by rewriting the rules in their favor.
    I could not put this down. Keep the cast of characters list handy so you can follow along in the beginning, but I promise you'll find something to be drawn to. This is a classic.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Mike Rossander
    4.0 out of 5 stars I wish I'd read this years ago
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2016
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    A modern description of a historical event, this play describes the tribulations of Sir Thomas More during the split between the Roman Catholic Church and the newly-formed Church of England. The play lays out the historical details clearly and articulately. The writing is engaging and accessible. Most importantly, the depiction of More is true to everything we know about his personality and morals.

    The fascinating part for me is More's approach to the law. There are some very memorable quotes in this play that anyone wanting to understand the law would do well to study. More's character lays out some deep questions about the nature of proof. His situation (and the eventual resolution of his case) illustrate the continuing tension between law as a pure exercise in reason and law as an instrument of state power. Enjoyable as the play is, it is a cautionary tale.

    Wonderful as the story is, Bolt's use of the Common Man and the frequent stage directions were a distraction to me - especially with all the hats. I understand the mood that Bolt was trying to set but whenever those parts of the play came around, they actually jolted me out of that mood.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Michael Burke
    5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2014
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    Robert Bolt is at his best here with a truly thought-provoking piece of theatre. Ethics, morals, life without compromise. How stand up to the most powerful man/ruler in your life? Sir Thomas More did, and lost his head, but he is remembered for his upright ethos. In a Catholic world ruled by the Pope, how does Henry VIII divorce not only his wife, but the church's authority? And Who stands, morally and righteously intransigent? Sir Thomas. We know Henry is influenced by Martin Luther's writings but Sir Thomas is a staunch Catholic. Read the struggle here presented. Although fictional, it is based on actual letters and diarys.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Gary
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great play and format
    Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    If you like A Man for All Seasons and you want to read it on Kindle, this is perfect for you.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Friendoftheworld
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Play For All Seasons
    Reviewed in Japan on August 27, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Many are familiar with this drama as a result of seeing the Oscar-laden movie version. Reading the play in no way disappoints. It is beautifully written, with several superlative scenes. More's meeting with Wolsey, and later with the King are models of dramatic writing. Robert Bolt wrote in crisp, clear English - the type of English that in an ideal world we would use everyday. It is a pleasure to read this play !
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  • Nathan Sawatzky
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice play for this time period.
    Reviewed in France on October 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Used within our homeschool for Ambleside Online year 8. Adding in a play for the first term was a highlight for my students, and defiantly helped the material stick.

    The main character, Thomas Moore, being an advisior to King Henry the VIII, gave this historical time period an interesting perspective.
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  • Bruceman
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great historical play
    Reviewed in Spain on March 24, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    It's a great play. The dialogues are amazing. It probably isn't a very accurate depiction of Saint Thomas Moore, but it does discuss the king's divorce and it is still very good theatre.
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  • Renato Wilian Santos de Lima
    5.0 out of 5 stars Merece uma tradução para língua portuguesa
    Reviewed in Brazil on September 13, 2022
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    De simples leitura, mas com uma história muito profunda. A coragem de São Thomas More em não vender a sua alma para uma corte corrupta e dar sua vida pelo que acredita, é algo extremamente louvável. Homens virtuosos com ele se faz cada vez mais necessário em nossos tempos tomados pelo maquiavelismo.
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  • Uma C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Life's lessons.
    Reviewed in India on February 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The media could not be loaded.
    One of the greatest books. Robert Bolt's "A Man for All Seasons" is of the same standard as Ann Ryand's "Atlas Shrugged". These masterpieces need to be taught in every school. I learnt my values of life from Rev. Fr. Moore's ethics & literature classes - I am what I am - living by the principal's of this book.
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