A Utopian Society By Sir Thomas More - 1608 Words

An alluring land void of terror, war, and displeasure appears to be impossible, yet its concept fuels the dreams of many. Sought after all throughout history by men from vast lands of diverse cultures, these paradigms of perfection, or utopias, have been attempted. Bound by politics, societal and economic factors, and personal endeavors, they perish under the exact terms that sparked their creation. Sir Thomas More, a renowned Renaissance humanist, attempts to defy that stigma through his recollection of an island called Utopia. His ideas, however, are incapable of maintaining a flawless state of content between the expectations and desires of both its residents and government. In reality, More’s â€Å"perfect† Utopian society mirrors a dystopia, for its unsuccessful government invalidates the diversity and individual drive that characterizes Earth and mankind. Social status is an important attribute to identify citizens with, since it classifies people by their values, worth ethic, and beliefs. Having different social classes and labels to identify with also increases patriotism, too (Waytz np). However, social classes are nearly nonexistent within Utopia, and it is only one of the reasons that More’s envisioned island can never be considered perfect. In Utopia, â€Å"manners, customs, and laws of which are the same† characterize all fifty-four of the cities (More 29). This structure of society is not designed for diversified innovation or individual growth. Citizens are onlyShow MoreRelatedUtopia Study Guide864 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿English 4, Unit 2: Utopia and Dystopia Sir Thomas More’s Utopia Study Guide Directions: As you read, complete each question below. Type your answers in the appropriate spaces provided. 1. In Book I, who is the narrator? What point of view is this? Thomas More, first person view 2. More and Giles strike up a conversation with someone. Who is this? What does he do? Why are they interested in him? Giles introduces More to Raphael Hythloday. More thought that Hythloday was a seaman butRead More Utopian Dreams Essay1391 Words   |  6 Pagesno such thing. A Utopian society could never exist because man is made to want, to desire success. Man is competitive by nature and would never be happy in a society where everyone is equal and there is no chance of advancement. Sir Thomas More dreamt of a land that was much like England but could never surpass time. He opened the eyes of a nation and made its people desire something new. Views were significantly changed and the world would never be the same. Sir Thomas More inspired dramaticRead More Comparing Margaret Cavendish’s The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing World and Sir Tho1706 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Blazing World and Sir Thomas More’s Utopia The so-called Utopia – the quasi-perfect society – flourishes in Margaret Cavendish’s â€Å"The Description of a New World, Called a Blazing World† and Sir Thomas More’s Utopia. While the former is a dreamlike account of fantasy rule and the latter a pseudo-realistic travelogue, both works paint a picture of worlds that are not so perfect after all. These imperfections glitter like false gemstones in the paths of these Utopians’ religious beliefs, politicalRead More Comparing Platos Republic, Mores Utopia, and Gurneys Dinotopia1395 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout history, mankind has struggled to lead better lives and improve their society for future generations. What do we continuously attempt to improve? What kind of changes are we trying to institute? In other words, what is an ideal society? Many people have very diversified views about a perfect civilization. In Platos Republic, Sir Thomas Mores Utopia, and James Gurneys Dinotopi a, three imaginary societies are described, each with its own peculiarities and highlights. Various aspectsRead More Analysis of Mores The Prince and Utopia Essay1545 Words   |  7 Pagesi. Introduction Sir Thomas More was born in London to Agnes and John More a lawyer in 1477. Tomas after being a page in the Morton Household was sent to Oxford University and became a successful lawyer. After becoming an MP for the Under-Sheriff of London he started writing the book Utopia and finishing it 1516. After writing the book he was appointed as the privy councilor to King Henry VIII in 1518. He was latter executed in 1535 for refusing King Henry VIII to be the head of the churchRead MoreThe Rights of the Individual and Women Lost in Thomas More’s Utopia1575 Words   |  7 Pages A person’s image of utopia varies depending on their individual life experiences and the expectations of the society in which they live; utopia could be described as an ideal place where equality, comfort, safety, compassion, and freedom are important qualities. In Sir Thomas More’s Utopia, the elimination of property and money has all citizens working for the commonwealth and it is â€Å"where every man has a right to everything, they all know that if care is taken to keep the public stores fullRead More Utopia - The Impossibility of Perfection Essay example1686 Words   |  7 Pagesthe search for a perfect social state has never stopped; its ultimate goal of achieving a human society that exists in absolute harmony with all due social justice, however, has proved to be woefully elusive. The pure concept of a utopia can be theoretically visualized as a perfect geometric circle: one that is seamless, all-inclusive, yet impossible to draw out in reality. In 1516, Sir Thomas More depicted in his famed Utopia what he envisioned to be an ideal state?one that frees its citizensRead MoreUtopi An Island Shaped Like A Crescent1081 Words   |  5 Pageshelped develop their society into one that was isolated from other societies, but very close and similar within its own community. 2. Utopians believe in working hard and working equally. There work day is only six hours, but yet they are very productive. They have plenty of gold and silver, but it does not play a roll in the economy because it is seen as child-like to desire luxuries. Gold and silver are only used to offer to their opponents during war. There is no money, so Utopians always make sureRead MoreUtopia, by Thomas More: Your Wost Nightmare Essay1419 Words   |  6 PagesUtopia is a brilliant novel written by Thomas More. The idea of a utopia seems impossible, how can anyone live in a perfect place when perfection is in the eyes of the beholder? The Utopia in this novel is nothing more than abundant of already established ideas therefore it can’t not truly be a Utopia. The abolition of private property is one of Mores chief criticisms of Utopia; it seems to mimic the common understandings of communism, which Thomas More’s character Raphael has been accused of protectingRead MoreEssay on Thomas Mores Utopia as a Social Model1256 Words   |  6 PagesThomas Mores Utopia as a Social Model   Ã‚  Ã‚  In his famous work Utopia, Sir Thomas More describes the society and culture of an imaginary island on which all social ills have been cured. As in Platos Republic, a work from which More drew while writing Utopia, Mores work presents his ideas through a dialogue between two characters, Raphael Hythloday and More himself. Hythloday is a fictional character who describes his recent voyage to the paradisal island of Utopia. Throughout the work, Hythloday