Thomas More’s Utopia

Thomas More

Thomas More was born in 1478 in London. He was the son of Sir John More, a judge. More
studied at St. Anthony's school, followed by Canterbury College in Oxford. His father allowed
him to attend Oxford at the persuasion of a friend, since More seemed talented enough.

More was interested in Greek studies and also expanded his knowledge of philosophy,
literature and theology.

More became a successful lawyer, at the age of 23, and at 26, he was elected to the
Parliament. Being incredibly intelligent and charming, More was one of the best lawyers in
London, and was chosen to handle many cases in foreign countries. At 32, he became a
judge, a position that made him well-known and loved in London.

At the same time, More was also engaging himself in literature and philosophy. His
masterpiece, Utopia, was written at this time, and is considered to be one of the greatest
Socratic dialogues of all time.

Recognized for his great intelligence, impartiality, and wisdom, he earned King Henry VIII's
favor until he became Lord Chancellor in 1529.

Utopia

Introduction

Sir Thomas More's Utopia is a work of fiction published in 1516 that describes a fictional
island society. The word "utopia" comes from the Greek ou topos, which means "no
place". More used the word to describe an ideal society that is perfectly organized.
It is a significant work of literature that introduced the concept of a utopian society, where
people live in harmony and equality. The book also critiqued the social and political
structures of More's time, offering a vision of an ideal society.

In Utopia, More describes a communist and pagan city-state where institutions and policies
are governed by reason. The society is based on rational thought, productivity, communal
property, and religious freedom. It has little crime, violence, and immoral behavior, and no
class distinctions or poverty.

Purpose of the work

Utopia (published in 1516) attempts to offer a practical response to the crises of the
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries by carefully defining an ideal republic. Unlike Plato's
Republic, a largely abstract dialogue about justice, Utopia focuses on politics and social
organization in stark detail.

More used the fictional society to satirize life in London at the time. For example, he
suggests that monarchs should swear not to have more than 1,000 lbs of gold in their
coffers. He also suggests that gold and silver should be used to make chamber pots instead
of being worshipped.

Important themes

The overarching theme throughout the book is the ideal nature of a Utopian society. In
Utopia, there is no greed, corruption, or power struggles due to the fact that there is no
money or private property. There is very little hierarchy and everything is held in common
where everyone's needs are supplied.

Main Content of the work

The work of Utopia, is divided into two books, the major characters include Thomas More
himself who sees his friend, Peter Giles, while traveling, and is introduced to Raphael
Hythloday, who describes Utopia. His interest in government and travel lead to a debate
with Raphael and the description of Utopia, on which the book is based.

More chose to include letters between real people in his book to make the fictional land
more plausible. The letters also include a sample of the Utopian alphabet and poetry.

The learned men of Utopia are given to disputing over various questions of moral
philosophy, but their chief concern is in trying to determine the source and nature of
happiness. The prevailing opinion among them is that pleasure is the basis of that happines

In Utopia, happiness is self-sufficient and no matter how we twist it and argue up and down,
the aim of all things we do is to achieve ‘Eudaimonia’. A term for the highest human good, a
life well-lived, or human flourishing. It includes authenticity, excellence, growth, and
meaning.

Some important characteristics, places, concepts and views included in

Gold/treasure: These have no value in Utopia. However, they are accumulated from exports
so that the Prince may hire armies in war.
Family: Consists of about forty people, who live together, and share a trade. There are a
minimum of ten people in each family, and the son typically learns from the father and
takes up his trade. Should he have an affinity for something else, he may join another
family. The oldest able-minded man looks after the family, and is called the governor of the
family. It is the wives' duty to serve their husbands, the children's duties to serve their
parents
City: Citizens are tenants in cities, which are almost all identical, and at least twenty miles
long. Each city is divided into four sections, each with its own marketplace where the fathers
go and take what they need from others, and supply in turn what they have produced. Also,
good deeds are made reference to in marketplaces, as statues, erected in honor of the
deeds, are placed there.
Workday: The workday in Utopia is only six hours. This is because Utopians strongly believe
in developing the mind, and give people time to do so. Since everybody works, including
women and children, they can produce enough to be almost self-sufficient.
Utopia: Utopia means perfect society, and this is what Raphael is describing in this book--
the perfect country that he visited. There is no greed, selfishness, brutality, and very little
crime. Furthermore, nobody is unhappy.
Passport: This is necessary in order to travel. It is obtained from the Prince and is a permit
to travel to certain places, for a certain period of time. If somebody is caught traveling
without this, they are punished.
Clothing: Clothing in Utopia is very bland and durable. People do not wear fine cloths, but
instead leather, to work. Clothing is of no importance, and does not signify importance or
anything of the like. At festivals, everybody, except the priests, wear white. The fashion
never changes, and is based on practicality.
Religion: Utopia practices freedom of religion. However, the law states that everybody must
believe in a Divine Being, and that everybody must believe that the human soul lives after
death. Also, no one is to disrespect anybody else's religion.
Slavery: Prisoners of war who fought in battle are made slaves. Also, slavery is part of the
punishment for certain crimes. Citizens of poor neighboring countries also offer themselves
as slaves, though they are to be treated better than regular slaves and they are free to leave
whenever they please.
Money: This does not exist in Utopia, as people are free to take whatever they want and
supply what they make/produce for no charge.
Amaurot: The capital of Utopia, Amaurot is the most eminent town, as it is where the
supreme council resides. Amaurot is located on the side of a hill, and a river, Anider, runs by
it. Anider runs down to the ocean, and is fortified at its source so that enemies are not able
to poison or redirect the water, for the town depends on this river for water supply. A wall
with many towers and forts surrounds Amaurot. The wall is also surrounded on three of four
sides by a ditch, and by a river on the fourth side. All the houses inside Amaurot are
identical. This is also the place where the annual meeting of counselors, at which they
decide the needs and surpluses of each city, takes place.
Governor: This is the oldest able-minded man in the family. His duty is to advise people in
the family and take care of the family.
Pleasure: Pleasure can only be found in things that are virtuous. Pleasure is to be sought
after, but at no other person's cost. There are several types of pleasure--those of the body,
such as eating (and the greatest of which is health), and those of the mind, which are
considered the greatest pleasures of all.
Death: Death is not to be feared. People should long to die, in order to meet their maker.
People who are dying and are angry about it are thrown in a ditch when dead, and not given
a proper funeral.
Laws: There are few laws in Utopia, and no lawyers, as each person defends himself or
herself. All laws are made in order for each person to know their duty.
War: Utopians do not like war, however they do engage in it when necessary. It is
considered necessary when they are defending themselves, their neighbors, or their friends,
and when a Utopian has been injured or killed by a citizen of another country who will not
give himself or herself up.
Some Important Quotes from the work

"Nations will be happy, when either philosophers become kings, or kings become
philosophers."

"As long as there is property, and while money is the standard of all things, a nation can be
governed either justly or happily.”

"If the common ties of humanity do not knit men together, the faiths and religions will have
no great effect."

"Nothing is more inglorious than the glory that is gained by war."

"A small number of men can hinder the descent of a great army."