'A Man for All Seasons' Predicted Exactly What's Happening Now | Mona Charen Show
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The film 'A Man for All Seasons' profoundly influenced host Mona Charen and became a touchstone for many conservative thinkers due to its themes of conscience and character.
- ❖Conservative figures like Marco Rubio, Bill Bennett, and Dennis Prager are likened to the film's villain, Richard Rich, for abandoning their stated moral principles during the 'Trump challenge.'
- ❖The film's writer, Robert Bolt, a man of the left, originally conceived the play as a commentary on the McCarthy era and the pressure to 'name names.'
- ❖King Henry VIII's character vividly illustrates the dangers of arbitrary power and autocracy, where courtiers mimic the ruler's whims.
- ❖Sir Thomas More's defense of the law, even for a 'bad man,' highlights the critical importance of legal structures as a 'hide' against the devil.
- ❖The seduction of being in the 'inner circle' leads many to sacrifice their principles, a timeless human flaw depicted in the film.
Insights
1Conservative Hypocrisy in the 'Trump Challenge'
The hosts argue that many prominent conservative figures, who once championed moral values and integrity, abandoned these principles when faced with the political demands of the Trump era. They draw a direct parallel to the character Richard Rich, who betrays Sir Thomas More for personal advancement, highlighting a perceived hypocrisy among those who previously lauded 'A Man for All Seasons' as a conservative touchstone.
Mona Charen mentions Marco Rubio, Bill Bennett (author of 'The Book of Virtues'), and Dennis Prager as examples of conservatives who 'were Richard Rich' when the 'Trump challenge came,' ready to 'throw that all over.'
2The Film's Leftist Origins and Universal Applicability
Despite its adoption by conservatives, the film's writer, Robert Bolt, was a man of the left who wrote the play in the context of the McCarthy era. The themes of standing by one's conscience and refusing to 'name names' were originally intended as a tribute to those who resisted political pressure during that time. This demonstrates how great art can transcend its original political intent and resonate across different ideologies and historical contexts.
Mona Charen notes that Bolt was a 'man of the left' and that the play was written 'when the McCarthy era was still a live thing,' implying its original intent was about 'people who maintained their integrity and refused to cooperate.' Sunny Bunch adds that 'the metaphor is supple enough that it is applicable... from multiple points of view.'
3The Seduction of Proximity to Power
The film illustrates how the desire to be part of the 'inner circle' of power can lead individuals to compromise their values. Richard Rich's excitement at being close to Cromwell, who is close to the King, exemplifies this eternal human tendency to sacrifice principles for the thrill and perceived benefits of influence.
Mona Charen describes Richard Rich's eyes lighting up when Cromwell mentions the King's phrase 'no ceremony,' seeing it as being 'in the outer circle of the inner circle.' She asks, 'how many people have we all seen in our lives who... have put aside so many values, so many of their principles because it's so thrilling to be in the inner circle.'
4The Law as a Bulwark Against Arbitrary Power
Sir Thomas More's steadfast belief in the law, even when it might protect 'bad men,' is presented as a fundamental principle. He argues that dismantling laws to pursue perceived evil ultimately leaves everyone, including those who sought to dismantle them, vulnerable to arbitrary power, likening the laws to a 'hide' when the 'devil rounds on you.'
Moore's exchange with Roper, where Roper states he would 'cut down all the laws in England to get at the devil,' and Moore responds, 'And then when the devil rounds on you all the laws having been leveled, where will you find a hide then?'
Bottom Line
The historical Thomas More, unlike his cinematic portrayal, was a 'passionate believer' who 'did torture' and 'burned people at the stake' for heresy. He was not a purely saintly figure but acted out of deep conviction.
This historical nuance challenges the simplified 'Christ-like' depiction in the film, suggesting that even figures of profound conviction can hold beliefs that are morally problematic by modern standards. It complicates the narrative of 'integrity' by showing that unwavering belief does not always equate to universal virtue.
When evaluating historical figures or contemporary leaders, it is crucial to examine their actions and beliefs in their full historical context, rather than relying on simplified or idealized portrayals, to understand the complex interplay between conviction and morality.
Key Concepts
The Richard Rich Archetype
A character who sacrifices moral principles and integrity for personal gain, power, or position, even for seemingly small advancements. This model highlights the corrosive effect of ambition on character and the willingness to perjure oneself for worldly profit.
The Cowardice of the Crowd
The phenomenon where individuals, even those with strong personal convictions, succumb to group pressure and abandon their principles or remain silent in the face of injustice or autocratic demands. This model emphasizes the difficulty of individual resistance against a collective tide.
The Law as a Hide
The concept that established laws and legal frameworks, even imperfect ones, serve as a fundamental protection for individuals against arbitrary power and injustice. Without the 'tangle of the laws,' even the 'devil' can find no resistance, making the rule of law essential for societal security and individual rights.
Lessons
- Prioritize integrity over political expediency: Reflect on whether your actions align with your stated moral principles, especially when faced with pressure or opportunities for advancement.
- Cultivate discernment in recommendations: When asked to recommend someone for a position of responsibility, distinguish between personal friendship and actual fitness or moral character for the role, even if it risks the friendship.
- Uphold the rule of law: Recognize that legal frameworks, even when imperfect, are essential safeguards against arbitrary power. Resist calls to dismantle laws or processes, even in pursuit of a perceived 'greater good,' as this can create vulnerability for everyone.
Notable Moments
King Henry VIII's dramatic entrance at More's home, where he deliberately jumps into the mud, and his courtiers, observing his reaction, immediately follow suit to get muddy themselves.
This scene perfectly illustrates the nature of autocratic power and the 'courtier' mentality. The courtiers' immediate mimicry of the King's action, only after discerning his approval, visually represents the absolute deference and lack of individual agency in an autocratic system, where even trivial actions are dictated by the ruler's whim.
Quotes
"If we lived in a state where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us saintly. But since we see that avarice, anger, pride, and stupidity commonly profit far beyond charity, modesty, justice, and thought, perhaps we must stand fast a little, even at the risk of being heroes."
"It profitth a man nothing that he give his whole soul for the world, but for Wales."
"And then when the devil rounds on you all the laws having been leveled, where will you find a hide then?"
"Well, you, your pupils, your family, God, not a bad audience that."
"A man for all seasons is a picture that inspires admiration, courage, and thought."
Q&A
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