Thomas More's Utopia is one of the most politically and socially influential texts to date. Its audiences, which range from academic and social scholars to university students, may gain a different understanding of the work and its meaning. To fully understand More's message, it is necessary to appreciate the time and culture in which he lived. Having grasped the historical concepts, one reads Utopia, not just as a volume chronicling a fictitious island society, but rather as a critique of a time of corruption and reform. Throughout the text, More's personal views on the religion, politics, and economics of this turbulent time filter through the carefully plotted thread of this critical work. More is seen in the story in many different lights. It is difficult to describe the 16th century historically without mentioning More's individual involvement as a key religious and political figure of the era. In his early life he focused mainly on his desire for the priesthood. More lived for years in a monastery and pursued the pious life of the Carthusians before abandoning it for a political career. Many speculate that More's reasons for leaving had to do with the corruption he witnessed during his time there and a desire to commit to marriage. The corruption and greed brewing among the clergy is what triggered the Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther. Subsequently, More entered the political spotlight through parliament and as Speaker of the House of Commons, where he spent his energies encouraging the idea of ​​free speech. His next office was that of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancester, followed by that of Lord Chancellor. Both of these occurred towards the end of his political and judicial career, when his views began to divide from those of Henry VIII. More's disagreement with Henry VIII's ideas and conversion to Lutheranism were ultimately his end, when he was beheaded for refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy and the Act of Succession. He believed in the way of the Catholic Church until the end and paid the ultimate sacrifice of his life. Evidence of More's religious views is found throughout the text. He cleverly disguises his true opinions by inventing a fictitious traveler named Raphael Hythloday, who the reader believes to be the originator of the radical ideas.... middle of paper... More spends a lot of time in the first book on a conversation in in which Raphael expresses sympathy for the poor. More was also said to display this tendency in his life. In More's time, the poor got poorer while the rich got richer. Food, clothing, etc., became a luxury for the homeless peasants, who often resorted to theft. In conclusion, More used an interesting method of characterization to write a brazen critique of the social constructs in which he lived. This was a dangerous task to undertake. in an era when heresy and treason were punishable by death. More's life accomplishments conflict with some views of his work, but that's why he calls it fiction. More lived a life of great determination and devotion. His rigorous lifestyle and critical analysis of the world around him served as perfect exposure to a world that existed only in his mind. To conclude, a quote from Book I, Hythloday states: “You must endeavor to influence politics indirectly, handle the situation tactfully, and then what you cannot turn into good, you can at least, to the extent of your powers, make less evil” . ”(26).Works Cited