Thomas More's Utopia As a Criticism of 16th Century England Term Paper

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Thomas More's Utopia as a Criticism of 16th Century England

There are several notions put in utopia by Thomas More. There is the religious aspect, power sharing and the evils of the private property contrasts in the contemporary England in the 16th century. The Utopian creation by More is a satirical mirroring of the society as well as his own life. His audiences attracted despite their opposition of the idea of communalism as compared to private ownership of property. In regard to this point More maintains that, 'for when an insatiable wretch, who is a plague to his country, resolves to enclose many thousand acres of ground, the owners as well as tenants are turned out of their possessions, by tricks, or by main force' (More). The communal agricultural activities in Utopia satirized the reality of the 16th century England. He puts so much focus in Utopian notions like religious belief tolerance and political injustices England experienced in the 16th century. His satirical contrast and criticism brings his radical propositions of abolishing private property. The Utopia described is initially as an island, which Utopians' conquered and brought prosperity than the countries around it. Utopia comes as a communal state where the occupants of the society share what they have equally. Officials made sure that food supply in the society remained balanced. Receiving anything from the officials was as easy as asking for what one required. In Mores opinion, the Utopian world he displayed is one, which gave its citizens whatever they needed. It is a criticism of private ownership of property, which denies other people accessibility to property use.

The Utopia is also a reflection of England in the 16th century. Through the present homogeneity in Utopia, the injustices England faced during that time satirized. It was all about the laziness of people doing very little for the country, still managing luxurious lifestyle. These people enjoyed while those who did the hard work remained in abject poverty regardless of their hard labor.

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'The price of wool is also so risen that the poor people who were to make cloth are no more able to buy it' (More). There was a hierarchical representation of England in Utopia without any aim focusing on its citizens' welfare. 'Yet they are in so few hands, and these are so rich' (More). Utopia had efforts of satire, which critically involved Europe's political dishonesty and the insincerity in the religion. More was a Roman Catholic Humanist and had one best friend, who was a philosopher, writer, and travelled, around countries. "…sailed not as a seaman, but as a traveler, or rather a philosopher" (More). He was a man known for having vast experiences and shared knowledge about the different cultures including the mode of administration of other countries. He often made it clear on how they differed from Utopias own. He also expressed his opinion on how he discontented with the way things happened in Utopia as compared to the places he traveled. Utopias main objective was to address issues that needed adjustment in the entire society of England. Utopia reflected the absurdity and struggles of the writers' culture in time thus; it was a necessary obligation to expose the state of Utopia.

At one point, More continued justifying theft as a lack of an option, which made jobless and handicapped persons resort to theft as a means of survival. "If you do not find a remedy to these evils, it is a vain thing to boast of your severity in punishing theft, which though it may have the appearance of justice, yet in itself is neither just nor convenient" (More). Contrary to the belief of England in the policies governing justice, it came out that man could choose to live an upright life or become a criminal. That is a point, which More does not….....

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