A Man for All Seasons Scene 4 Summary

  • Now, we see Rich meeting with Cromwell in London. Cromwell gets Rich to admit that he'll repeat useful information in exchange for a position—Cromwell can appoint him Collector of Revenues for York.
  • Cromwell aims to help King Henry obtain his divorce, and he wants to put pressure on More to do so. He convinces Rich to tell him about the silver cup bribe that More received from a woman (even though he gave the cup to Rich afterward).
  • Next, the king's representative is addressing the bishops of England. He urges them to vote with Henry to break with the Catholic Church and let Henry reign as the head of the new Church of England.
  • We don't get to see specifically how they vote, but they apparently approve Henry's decision.
  • Back at More's house, he has just resigned his position as Chancellor to the Duke of Norfolk. Neither Norfolk nor Alice approve of the decision—though, on the other hand, Will does, heartily.
  • Outside, Norfolk asks Thomas to explain his decision-making—he doesn't understand it and thinks it's cowardly. More, without openly defying the king, explains that he thinks the Church is still their living link with Christ. Norfolk is cynical about the Pope and the whole business.
  • More refuses to say whether he thinks the king has the right to get a divorce or not, and says that what's important to him is that his core beliefs are identifiable with his own nature.
  • Norfolk thinks he's over-reacting.