Utopia - Thomas More

1. Humor and Parody

1.1. Utopia means nowhere...

1.2. The political system is called a Sty (every 30 houses are divided into Sty's). He is calling the people of Great Britain pigs.

2. Themes of More's Utopia

2.1. What is working life like in Utopia?

2.1.1. In Thomas More's Utopia life is very structured there is no crime or prejudices. The people must work six-hour days with knowledge in various fields, since everyone can preform the same job.

2.2. Why does Utopia use slavery?

2.2.1. People in Utopia who broke laws were turned into slaves. This was to rid the society of any corruption.

2.3. What is the government like in Utopia?

2.3.1. The laws that the government in Utopia set up were very clear and easy to understand. The government itself had a few people on top, but the didn't have a specific man in charge.

2.4. How is Utopia a social critique of Great Britain?

2.4.1. Utopia mocks the corruption and inequality of Great Britain's social system. Britain also has a King and Queen in charge, unlike the Utopia, which is the perfect city. So not having a King or Queen is better for creating the perfect society.

2.5. How do people in Utopia find happiness?

2.5.1. Happiness in Utopia is found in reason and knowledge. People in Utopia study in their free time, showing how intelligence is what makes people happy and gives them peace.

3. Overview

3.1. Thomas More's Utopia is a Christian-humanist view of an ideal society.

3.2. More does not simply offer a theoretical view but provides specifics for how to create this world.

3.3. Utopia offers a Christianized form of Plato's Republic.

4. Utopia - The last great Christian synthesis of the Renaissance

4.1. The Christian aspect of the synthesis is Christ's gospel of caring for the poor, the oppressed and the downtrodden.

4.2. The Platonic, Republican tradition is the Greek aspect of the synthesis.

4.3. More wrote Utopia with a cemedic tone, allowing him to speak his truth while telling a deeper story.