A Man for All Seasons Scene 5 Summary

  • More gathers together his servants and tells them that, without being Chancellor anymore, he can't afford to employ them. But he tells them that he won't dismiss any of them until they're employed elsewhere.
  • More asks his servant Matthew if he'll stay, although it'll pay less and there'll be more work. Matthew says he can't stay.
  • Then, to the side, we see Matthew defending his decision to be practical to his wife.
  • Thereafter, we see More and his wife discussing what they'll do now. He says he'll devote his time to reading and thinking and playing with his grandkids once they're born. He even offers to teach Alice to read, but she doesn't want to.
  • More gets her to promise that, if anyone asks her if he's said anything about the king's marriage, to say that he's remained silent—because he has.
  • Since he's staying silent, he expects to be left alone.
  • But, we switch to Cromwell, who's telling Norfolk that he won't leave More in peace.
  • Cromwell thinks that More's silence looks like opposition to the king in the eyes of everyone in Europe. They need to put pressure on him, get him to relent—Cromwell is sure they can.
  • Averil Machin (the woman who tried to bribe More) is present, and says that she gave More a silver cup and he sided against her anyway. Rich, also present, says he had the cup but sold it, and doesn't have it anymore—though he has the receipt.
  • Norfolk notes that, once More knew it was a bribe, he clearly gave it away, messing up their case.
  • Cromwell says they'll find something better. He also vaguely threatens Norfolk to get him to go along with them. He says that if he can get More to attend the king's wedding, it'll all be better.