Utopia
Utopia
Thomas More Thomas More
Thomas Morus, better known as Sir Thomas More (1478 – 1535), is an important Thomas Morus, better known as Sir Thomas More (1478 – 1535), is an important lawyer, author and politician under the reign of Henry VIII of England and was Lord lawyer, author and politician under the reign of Henry VIII of England and was Lord Chancellor from 1529 to 1532. He was no stranger to religion and was canonized by Pope Chancellor from 1529 to 1532. He was no stranger to religion and was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1935 as on
Pius XI in 1935 as one of the early martyrs of the schism that separated e of the early martyrs of the schism that separated the Englishthe English Church from Catholicism in the 16th century. In 2000, Pope John Paul II declared him Church from Catholicism in the 16th century. In 2000, Pope John Paul II declared him Patron of Catholic Statesmen and
Patron of Catholic Statesmen and Politicians. More’s knowledge in this field is present inPoliticians. More’s knowledge in this field is present in his work.
his work.
Although mainly a politician, More tried his hand
Although mainly a politician, More tried his hand in writing and his talent hasin writing and his talent has brought him the title of “Christian humanist” in continental Europe. His fri
brought him the title of “Christian humanist” in continental Europe. His friend, Erasmusend, Erasmus of Rotterdam, dedicated his work “In Praise of Folly” (also know in Greek as “Morias of Rotterdam, dedicated his work “In Praise of Folly” (also know in Greek as “Morias Enkomion”) to More’s way of perceiving
Enkomion”) to More’s way of perceiving the world. The Greek title is a the world. The Greek title is a partial play uponpartial play upon words because the term “moria”, which shows the direct reference to Thomas More, also words because the term “moria”, which shows the direct reference to Thomas More, also means “madness”.
means “madness”. Erasmus, in his lErasmus, in his letters to other European humanistetters to other European humanists, described Mores, described More as being a model man of letters and later as “omnium horarum homo”, a quote that will as being a model man of letters and later as “omnium horarum homo”, a quote that will give the name of the
give the name of the play about More’s life, “A Man for All Splay about More’s life, “A Man for All Seasons” (1950). The projecteasons” (1950). The project the two of them undertook
the two of them undertook had the goal of re-examining had the goal of re-examining and revitalising Christianand revitalising Christian theology through the study of
theology through the study of the Bible and other important Christian works, through the Bible and other important Christian works, through thethe sphere of Greek literature and philosophy. They even worked together on the translation sphere of Greek literature and philosophy. They even worked together on the translation from Latin of Lucianus’ work, which was
from Latin of Lucianus’ work, which was published in 1506.published in 1506.
As an author, More became known mainly thanks to “History of King Richard As an author, More became known mainly thanks to “History of King Richard III” and “Utopia”. He also wrote religious polemics in the name of Henry VIII as an III” and “Utopia”. He also wrote religious polemics in the name of Henry VIII as an answer to Martin Luther’s attacks on the king
answer to Martin Luther’s attacks on the king of England.of England.
Although never finished, “History of King Richard III” is an
Although never finished, “History of King Richard III” is an important work inimportant work in itself because it greatly influenced Shakespeare’s play
itself because it greatly influenced Shakespeare’s play “Richard III”. From this point of “Richard III”. From this point of view, both More’s and Shakespeare’s unflattering description of the former king of view, both More’s and Shakespeare’s unflattering description of the former king of England gave way to great controversy among contemporary historians, a bias they England gave way to great controversy among contemporary historians, a bias they attributed to their allegiance to the
However, More is best known for his nov
However, More is best known for his novel entitled “Utopia”. To create the el entitled “Utopia”. To create the name,name, he played with the Greek words “ou-topos” meaning “no place” and “eu-topos” meaning he played with the Greek words “ou-topos” meaning “no place” and “eu-topos” meaning “good place”. In other words, More coined the word “utopia” which refers to the ideal “good place”. In other words, More coined the word “utopia” which refers to the ideal and imaginary civilisation and the po
and imaginary civilisation and the political regime described in his novel. In thelitical regime described in his novel. In the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary &
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus, the term Utopia is defined asThesaurus, the term Utopia is defined as “(the idea of) a perfect society in which everyone works well with each other and is “(the idea of) a perfect society in which everyone works well with each other and is happy
happy””11..
The original edition of Utopia came
The original edition of Utopia came with the symmetrical "Utopian alphabet"with the symmetrical "Utopian alphabet" which was omitted in later editions. It is interesting because
which was omitted in later editions. It is interesting because many believe this “alphabet”many believe this “alphabet” to be the predecessor of cryptography and that it may have led to the creation of
to be the predecessor of cryptography and that it may have led to the creation of shorthand.
shorthand.
The book presents the imaginary trip o
The book presents the imaginary trip of Raphael Hythlodeaus to the imaginaryf Raphael Hythlodeaus to the imaginary island of Utopia. The protagonist’s name has
island of Utopia. The protagonist’s name has hidden meaning as well. It alludes tohidden meaning as well. It alludes to Archangel Raphael, the purveyor of truth, but here, translated from Greek, the name Archangel Raphael, the purveyor of truth, but here, translated from Greek, the name means “the speaker of nonsense”. He describes the civilisation and customs of the means “the speaker of nonsense”. He describes the civilisation and customs of the imaginary island to More and to
imaginary island to More and to Pieter Gillis, but the main focus lies on the Pieter Gillis, but the main focus lies on the politicalpolitical system.
system.
In book one (“Dialogue
In book one (“Dialogue of Counsel”), to give further credibility to his imaginaryof Counsel”), to give further credibility to his imaginary land, More includes the letters he wrote to Peter Gilles, town clerk of Antwerp, and land, More includes the letters he wrote to Peter Gilles, town clerk of Antwerp, and Jerome de Busleyden, counsellor to Charles V. We also find here the example of Jerome de Busleyden, counsellor to Charles V. We also find here the example of “Utopian alphabet” and its poetry and the humorous reason why there seem to be few “Utopian alphabet” and its poetry and the humorous reason why there seem to be few travels to Utopia: someone had coughed during the announcement of the exact longitude travels to Utopia: someone had coughed during the announcement of the exact longitude and latitude.
and latitude.
Raphael and More talk about various subjects such as the best way to counsel a Raphael and More talk about various subjects such as the best way to counsel a prince (a popular subject at the time), the tendency of European kings of starting wars prince (a popular subject at the time), the tendency of European kings of starting wars
over nothing and the use of money on useless endeavours. He goes even further and talks over nothing and the use of money on useless endeavours. He goes even further and talks about the absurdity of applying
about the absurdity of applying the death penalty for theft and the death penalty for theft and states that the thieves maystates that the thieves may resort to killing the witnesses if the penalty is the same.
resort to killing the witnesses if the penalty is the same. He blames the state of povertyHe blames the state of poverty and starvation on the limited access to common land because of sheep farming.
and starvation on the limited access to common land because of sheep farming.
1
When More suggests a job at a
When More suggests a job at a royal court to Raphael, he royal court to Raphael, he states that his viewsstates that his views would not be taken into consideration and continues by comparing himself to Plato would not be taken into consideration and continues by comparing himself to Plato because they both considered that good kings should govern philosophically. More goes because they both considered that good kings should govern philosophically. More goes
further and states that the role of a
further and states that the role of a philosopher is to work with a flawed philosopher is to work with a flawed system and try tosystem and try to improve it rather than start with the principles of a
improve it rather than start with the principles of a new system: “...new system: “... for in courts they will for in courts they will not bear with a man's holding his peace or conniving at what others do: a man must not bear with a man's holding his peace or conniving at what others do: a man must barefacedly approve of the worst counsels and consent to the blackest designs, so that he barefacedly approve of the worst counsels and consent to the blackest designs, so that he would pass for a spy, or,
would pass for a spy, or, possibly, for a traitor, that did but coldly appossibly, for a traitor, that did but coldly approve of suchprove of such wicked practices”.
wicked practices”.
It is in book two (“Discourse on Utopia”)
It is in book two (“Discourse on Utopia”) that the utopian society is firstthat the utopian society is first mentioned as a part of the New World. Here, Raphael becomes the equivalent of mentioned as a part of the New World. Here, Raphael becomes the equivalent of Amerigo Vespucci, the author himself stating that the protagonist is one of the 24 Amerigo Vespucci, the author himself stating that the protagonist is one of the 24 Vespucci men and sets his itinerary to c
Vespucci men and sets his itinerary to coincide with that of the famous traveller. Utopiaoincide with that of the famous traveller. Utopia is described as:
is described as: “…two hundred miles across in the middle pa“…two hundred miles across in the middle part, where it is widest, and rt, where it is widest, and nowhere much narrower than this except towards the two ends, where it gradually nowhere much narrower than this except towards the two ends, where it gradually tapers. These ends, curved round as if completing a circle five hundred miles in tapers. These ends, curved round as if completing a circle five hundred miles in circumference, make the island crescent-shaped, like a new moon”.
circumference, make the island crescent-shaped, like a new moon”. The island is said to have bee
The island is said to have been part of the continent n part of the continent but, with the help of a 1but, with the help of a 15-mile5-mile wide channel, Utopia was
wide channel, Utopia was born. The capital city is Amaurote, which born. The capital city is Amaurote, which is situated in theis situated in the centre of the island and
centre of the island and is described as:is described as: "of them all this is the worthiest and of m"of them all this is the worthiest and of most ost dignity"
dignity" . Utopia contains 54 cities, each of them being divided into four equal parts and. Utopia contains 54 cities, each of them being divided into four equal parts and containing 6000 households. Each household contains 10 to 16 adults; 30 households containing 6000 households. Each household contains 10 to 16 adults; 30 households form a “phylarchus”. For every ten phylarchus there is one Protophylarchus elected form a “phylarchus”. For every ten phylarchus there is one Protophylarchus elected which rules over them. The 200 Protophylarchus elect a Prince who will rule the city for which rules over them. The 200 Protophylarchus elect a Prince who will rule the city for life unless he is deposed or
life unless he is deposed or suspected of tyranny.suspected of tyranny.
The population is regularly redistributed between the ho
The population is regularly redistributed between the ho useholds and cities touseholds and cities to maintain the numbers even. Sometimes people from the mainland are invited to join the maintain the numbers even. Sometimes people from the mainland are invited to join the cities but if they do not
cities but if they do not like it there they are free to return. like it there they are free to return. In case of overpopulation,In case of overpopulation, colonies are set up on the mainland and if the number of citizens drops then those that colonies are set up on the mainland and if the number of citizens drops then those that live in the colonies are called back.
In Utopia there is no private property, the
In Utopia there is no private property, the goods being stored in warehouses andgoods being stored in warehouses and citizens taking what they need. Furthermore, there are no locks on the doors seeing that citizens taking what they need. Furthermore, there are no locks on the doors seeing that citizens are relocated to a new house every ten years. The main occupation is agriculture, citizens are relocated to a new house every ten years. The main occupation is agriculture, men and women having equal responsibilities and workloads. They have to live on the men and women having equal responsibilities and workloads. They have to live on the countryside for two years and learn a second essential trade: weaving (mainly done by the countryside for two years and learn a second essential trade: weaving (mainly done by the women), carpentry, metal smiting and masonry. This is the method used to eradicate
women), carpentry, metal smiting and masonry. This is the method used to eradicate unemployment because each person must work. They usually work for six hours and unemployment because each person must work. They usually work for six hours and wear the same clothing. In
wear the same clothing. In Utopia, the leading class is formed of scholars who Utopia, the leading class is formed of scholars who areare selected from an early age, according to their ability to learn. Then later become priests selected from an early age, according to their ability to learn. Then later become priests or ruling officials.
or ruling officials.
Slavery is also mentioned, each household containing two slaves. They are either Slavery is also mentioned, each household containing two slaves. They are either citizens of other countries or Utopia’s criminals. The latter are chained
citizens of other countries or Utopia’s criminals. The latter are chained with gold shackleswith gold shackles but are released when they have “served” their time. Gold has little value for the utopian but are released when they have “served” their time. Gold has little value for the utopian
citizens, it being used for buying products from other countries or bribing them to start citizens, it being used for buying products from other countries or bribing them to start wars among themselves.
wars among themselves.
Other innovative ideas stated in the boo
Other innovative ideas stated in the books are: a welfare state with free hospitals,ks are: a welfare state with free hospitals, euthanasia permissible by the state, priests being allowed
euthanasia permissible by the state, priests being allowed to marry, divorce permitted,to marry, divorce permitted, premarital sex punished by a lifetime of enforced celibacy and adultery being punished premarital sex punished by a lifetime of enforced celibacy and adultery being punished by enslavement.
by enslavement.
What is interesting in the description of Utopia is that it contrasts with the What is interesting in the description of Utopia is that it contrasts with the European countries. Compared to the
European countries. Compared to the contentious social life of European states, the islandcontentious social life of European states, the island civilisation is described as orderly and with idealist social arrangements. Here, there is no civilisation is described as orderly and with idealist social arrangements. Here, there is no private property, men and women receive the same education and there is almost total private property, men and women receive the same education and there is almost total
religious tolerance. In Utopia, atheism is not accepted and Raphael comes with the theory religious tolerance. In Utopia, atheism is not accepted and Raphael comes with the theory that if one does not believe in a god and an afterlife he cannot be trusted. He further that if one does not believe in a god and an afterlife he cannot be trusted. He further explains by stating that that person would
explains by stating that that person would not acknowledge any authority not acknowledge any authority or principleor principle except for his own.
except for his own.
Some state that the main message of
Some state that the main message of the novel is that, no matter the the novel is that, no matter the society, theresociety, there is more need for order and
is more need for order and discipline than for freedom. It is said that More based thediscipline than for freedom. It is said that More based the utopian society on the
utopian society on the principles of monastic communalism, based on Acts of theprinciples of monastic communalism, based on Acts of the Apostles’ biblical communalism. In this society, any attempt of discussing public p
anywhere else except for the
anywhere else except for the forums leads in death. What is clear is that forums leads in death. What is clear is that he used thehe used the description of this imaginary society to freely discus contemporary
description of this imaginary society to freely discus contemporary controversial matters.controversial matters. Through Raphael, More po
Through Raphael, More points out the main conflict of his existence: the discrepancyints out the main conflict of his existence: the discrepancy between his humanist beliefs and his role as a servant of the king’s court. He illustr between his humanist beliefs and his role as a servant of the king’s court. He illustratedated
how he could try to bring the court members and the King to the humanist way of how he could try to bring the court members and the King to the humanist way of thinking, but he further stated that, at some point, these views would come into conflict thinking, but he further stated that, at some point, these views would come into conflict with the political reality of his time.
with the political reality of his time.
Utopianism is thought to be a combination
Utopianism is thought to be a combination between Plato and Aristotle’s classicalbetween Plato and Aristotle’s classical concepts on perfect societies and Latin
concepts on perfect societies and Latin rhetorical finesse. Although mostly a Renaissancerhetorical finesse. Although mostly a Renaissance movement, it continues well into the
movement, it continues well into the Enlightenment.Enlightenment. It is clear that Utopia “fathered” the genre
It is clear that Utopia “fathered” the genre and that it influenced the works of and that it influenced the works of many important utopian writers. One of the
many important utopian writers. One of the most important writers of utopian novels ismost important writers of utopian novels is George Orwell who in “Animal Farm” and “Nineteen Eighty-Four” shows the flaws of George Orwell who in “Animal Farm” and “Nineteen Eighty-Four” shows the flaws of such a society.
such a society.
In many ways Thomas More became
In many ways Thomas More became the most important man of his century.the most important man of his century. Many of the men of his time were shocked by his execution. Erasmus described him as Many of the men of his time were shocked by his execution. Erasmus described him as one
one “whose soul was more pure than any snow, whose genius was such that England “whose soul was more pure than any snow, whose genius was such that England never had and never again will have its like”
never had and never again will have its like”22. Later, Jonathan Swift described him as. Later, Jonathan Swift described him as
“the person of the greatest virtue this kingdom ever produced”
“the person of the greatest virtue this kingdom ever produced”33.. Lastly, historian HughLastly, historian Hugh
Trevor-Roper seems to best describe the man
Trevor-Roper seems to best describe the man that More was:that More was: “the first great Englishman“the first great Englishman whom we feel that we
whom we feel that we know, the most saintly of humanists, the most hknow, the most saintly of humanists, the most h uman of saints, theuman of saints, the universal man of our cool northern renaissance”
universal man of our cool northern renaissance”44..
2
2Daniel J. Boorstin (1999). The Seekers: The Story of Man's Daniel J. Boorstin (1999). The Seekers: The Story of Man's Continuing Quest to Understand His World.Continuing Quest to Understand His World. Random House Digital, Inc., p. 154.
Random House Digital, Inc., p. 154. 3
3Jonathan Swift, Prose Works of Jonathan Swift v. 13, Oxford Jonathan Swift, Prose Works of Jonathan Swift v. 13, Oxford UP, 1959, p. 123UP, 1959, p. 123 4
4Cited in Marvin O'Connell, "A Man for Cited in Marvin O'Connell, "A Man for all Seasons: an Historian's Demur," Catholic Dossier 8 no. 2all Seasons: an Historian's Demur," Catholic Dossier 8 no. 2 (March–April 2002): 16–19
