Robert Bolt (1924-1995) was a highly successful British playwright and screenwriter. His first successful play was
The Flowering Cherry, first produced in London in 1958. His screenwriting credits include
Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, A Man for All Seasons, Ryan’s Daughter and The Mission (he received Academy Awards for
Doctor Zhivago and
A Man for All Seasons). He taught English for many years at the prestigious Millfield private school in Somerset. He was married twice to the actress Sarah Miles.
Bolt developed an obsession with Thomas More while he was still in grammar school, which eventually led to the writing of A Man for All Seasons, his third play, in 1960. He made use of transcripts from More’s trial and his published letters to create dialogue. Bolt was not a religious person in a traditional sense, so that his interest in More stemmed from his view of him as a “hero of selfhood.” Bolt elaborates this notion in his thoughtful preface to the play, describing More’s reaction to the forces around him. More was a man completely engaged with his society and in the good graces of the king until asked to make a statement which violated that selfhood.
Bolt went on to write other works which placed characters in conflict with their social order, including Lawrence of Arabia. And Bolt found himself in such a conflict when he was arrested and imprisoned for protesting against nuclear proliferation. He refused to sign a document declaring that he would refrain from future involvement in similar activities. He is regarded as an extremely skilled interpreter of history, as a scholar and dramatist, as well as a master of cinematic dialogue.
Bolt explains in his preface that the period of history in which the play is set is well known, and it is certainly well documented. He goes on to describe the circumstances in 16th century England which set the drama in motion.
In 1509, with the special dispensation of Pope Julius II, King Henry VIII married his brother Arthur’s widow, Catherine of Aragon. After more than twenty years of a relatively happy marriage, the couple had little success in producing an heir, their only living child being the Princess Mary. After becoming infatuated with Anne Boleyn, he tried to obtain another dispensation to achieve another annulment. This request and its refusal became a matter of national and international intrigue which resulted in the establishment of the English Church and deep division and conflict in the country which lasted for many decades. Thomas More’s role in the incident is the subject of the play. Following are topics which help put the drama in context and provide general background for the piece.
