UTOPIA

The book primarily acts as a vehicle for More to explore several issues, ranging from the advising of Kings to the role of private property in society.

Raphael Hythloday

• last name means Expert on nonsense.
• Travellor.
• well acquainted in ancient greek.
• philosophy.
• traveled with Amerigo Vespucci.

Backstory.

• About contemporary political issues.
• nature of government.
• the early attempts of Plato and Aristotle at crafting ideal states.

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• broken into 2 books
• the first is a dialogue between Thomas More, Hythloday, and Peter Giles.
• The second book is primarily Hythloday’s description of the laws, customs, and people of Utopia
• first book is important - a commentary on contemporary politics in Europe and England specifically

More and Hythloday then debates on why Hythloday doesn’t advise Kings, judging by all the experience he has.

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• Contrast to More's situation with King Henry VIII
• Hythloday objects, for Kings were only interested in using advisors for immoral and dishonorable deeds

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• This presents a philosophical and political issue
• in conflict with moral action.
• or are they capable of being one and the same?

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• This presents a philosophical and political issue
• in conflict with moral action.
• or are they capable of being one and the same?

Utopia.

• very rigid.
• conventional/traditional.
• everyone had a task assigned

This brings light to the This points out to the level of governmental management, as men are told what tasks they must perform.
This is reinforced by the fact that the main function of their elected officials is to “manage matters so that no one sits around in idleness, and to make sure that everyone works hard at his trade.”

More's objections.

• chief objection was to the basis of their whole system, that is their communal living and their moneyless economy.
• Hythloday and the Utopians see money as the root of all evil,

“What is the root of money?” Money is only a medium of exchange by which people can voluntarily exchange amongst themselves for other goods.

The well being of the society vs protection of Individual rights.