Summary

A Man for All Seasons is divided into two acts. However, there are no scenes dividing the acts. For the purpose of this guide, the text has been divided into different sections.

The play opens with a monologue given by the Common Man. He is alone onstage with a basket of props. He is upset that he is the one to open the play primarily about royalty, but he pulls out the costume of Matthew. Matthew is Sir Thomas More’s manservant. More enters the room, and Richard Rich follows soon after. They argue about whether or not every man can be bribed. More is shocked when Rich claims a man can be bribed after being tortured, either mentally or physically. More realizes Rich is citing an idea written by Machiavelli. Rich reveals Thomas Cromwell told him to read Machiavelli’s works. According to Rich...