¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Thomas More!

Born February 7, 1478. Died July 6, 1535.

He was the man whose defiance of an English king inspired the 1966 movie A Man for All Seasons. He also wrote Utopia, one of the first works of political science fiction, and insisted on giving his daughters the same type of education that his son received in an era when giving women any type of education was considered quite daring.

He was not a perfect man -- the more I find out about him, the more I realize that -- but he had the courage to stand up for his principles at a time when it would have been far easier for him to back down, and he also had the bravery to stand up against authority in an age when such a thing was not only just not done but tended to be life-threatening as well. These are not bad traits to admire, even in a man whom many might otherwise find less than admirable.

Science Fiction Quote of the Week

In matching, they adopt a plan which appears to us very extravagant, yet is constantly observed among them and accounted very wise. Before marriage, a grave matron presenteth the bride (be she virgin or widow) naked, to the bridegroom; and after that, some grave man presenteth the bridegroom naked to the bride. We laughed at this, and condemned it as very indecent. They, on the other hand, wondered at the folly of mankind in all other countries; who, if they buy but an inferior horse, examine him all over and take off his trappings; yet a wife, on whom dependeth the happiness of the remainder of life, they take upon trust, regarding only her face, and leaving the rest of her body covered, where contagious and loathsome disorders may lie concealed. All men are not so wise as to choose a woman only for her good qualities; and even the wise consider the body as adding not a little to the mind. It is certain the clothes may conceal some deformity which may alienate a man from his wife when it is too late to part with her. If such a thing be discovered after marriage, he hath no remedy but patience. They therefore think it reasonable, that good care should be taken to guard against such mischievous deception.
--Thomas More, Utopia

This Is Embarrassing

In her comment to a Rod Dreher article on "sexting," blogger Erin Manning mentioned how her daughter used the term "Utopian bride" to comment on how ridiculous she (the daughter) considered "sexting" to be and then went on to comment about how 80% of her daughter's peers would not get that reference.

Quick confession: Though I am familiar with Thomas More and his book Utopia, I have never read enough of the book to be familiar with that reference either. In fact, I had to look it up. And I suspect many of my peers -- who are, of course, a lot older than Ms. Manning's daughter -- would not get that reference either.

That just goes to show what I get for depending so much on Masterplots.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Thomas More!

Born February 7, 1478. Died July 6, 1535.

He was the man whose defiance of an English king inspired the 1966 movie A Man for All Seasons. He also wrote Utopia, one of the first works of political science fiction, and insisted on giving his daughters the same type of education that his son received in an era when giving women any type of education was considered quite daring.

He was not a perfect man -- the more I find out about him, the more I realize that -- but he had the courage to stand up for his principles at a time when it would have been far easier for him to back down, and he also had the bravery to stand up against authority in an age when such a thing was not only just not done but tended to be life-threatening as well. These are not bad traits to admire, even in a man whom many might otherwise find less than admirable.

Quote of the Week

Prayer is more enjoyable than drinking, and more pleasing to God.
--St. Thomas More

Trailer of the Week: A Man for All Seasons (1966)

Hey, it's a movie about my former namesake. Imagine that.

R.I.P. Paul Scofield

Noted British actor Paul Scofield, best known for playing Sir Thomas More in 1966's A Man for All Seasons, died Wednesday.

He will be missed.

And since I used to post on the old Cinemarati website under the user name Thomas More, I most definitely pray that this isn't an omen.