Fear Quotes in A Man for All Seasons

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Paragraph)

Quote #4

RICH: You wouldn't find him easy to frighten! (CROMWELL exits. He calls after him) You've mistaken your man this times! He doesn't know how to be frightened! (1.801)

Rich obviously didn't get the memo that More is scared out of his mind. In many ways, however, this works against More. No one would care about his opinion if he were just some regular schmo on the street. Instead, his reputation as a staunch moralist makes his opinion even more valuable.

Quote #5

MORE: Don't! If your opinion's what I think it is, it's High Treason, Roper! [...] Will you remember you've a wife now! And may have children! (2.27)

This passage gives us insight into the nature of More's fear. He's not all that worried about what could happen to him, but he is worried about what could happen to Alice and Margaret. It would kill him if something happened to his family because of his actions.

Quote #6

MORE: [...] If the King takes this matter any further, with me or with the Church, it will be very bad, if I even appear to have been in the pay of the Church (2.305)

After resigning from the Chancellorship, More and his family are plunged straight into poverty. It's a nasty scene. Even with this newfound destitution, however, More is still so terrified that he refuses to accept any assistance that could link him back to the Church. Of course, he's also doing this to show that his decisions are his own, and that's an act of bravery.