Utopia by Thomas More

Last night I finished my copy of Utopia written by Thomas More, who published his work in 1516. For anyone who has not heard of Utopia, the book centralises around an imaginary island, with an impressive, and fair political system. Originally written in Latin (the intellectual language of our forefathers), the book has been translated over the years into Modern English. The book itself is set into two parts, book one focuses on a discussion between Raphael Hythlodeaus, Pieter Gillis, and Thomas More on the corruption on European politics, and kingship. With Raphael emphasising that to bring about a social change would be difficult, for the human mindset was not logical to that way of thinking (think about a herd of sheep, following one another).

Book two primarily recalls the land of Utopia, and the Utopian society from whence Raphael had travelled a few times, in order to spread the Christian word, and studies of Greek, such as Aristotle, and Cicero. More's style of writing is consistent, and flows nicely. As he states in the book, he 'does not state the obvious', therefore he challenges the reader, and their direct line of thinking about the system they live in. 

Although, the book itself is meant for a Tudor audience, mostly Kings, and nobles etc. (Basically anyone who could read, had the wealth to buy the book, or were in a position of great influence), I have found myself comparing Utopian society, to our modern day equivalent. Now, I'm not normally one for politics, but I must admit that Utopia seemed a remarkable place to live. For in Utopia everyone was given the best health care imaginable, for free! However, our healthcare system costs us the tax payer, such as £7.20 on prescriptions, and £48+ at the dentist for just a filling.  The lower classes aren't penalised in Utopia.

For me, I find it hard to establish the England I know and love, under Utopian rule. For instance, I could not for one imagine, people rejecting the idea of jewels, fashion, and a class system, yet the system works in More's Utopia. Everyone dresses in the same fashion, with the same materials (they do not mind if the wool in their shirts be coarse or fine), and they regard jewels and gold as something that hangs round the necks of slaves, or toys that infants play with. Even though More himself served in Henry VIII's court, which was famous for luxury, he chose to wear a coarse hair shirt under his clothes, regarding it all the better if it drew blood. 

There are many positives to Utopian society, yet I consider some of there limited laws, and ways of 
living to be quite shocking. Such as, a member of the society who is seriously ill within hospital, and is not the like to get better. A select group go up to the person in question, and basically ask them if they are content with living, and have they ever considered suicide (which is carried out in a humane way if they agree to it)? If the person decides they don't want to, the matter is dropped, and never spoken of again. Maybe I find this so bizarre, because of the way in which we live today, and our modern attitude towards critical illness and ending life.

I will, without a doubt continue to evaluate the society with which we live in, by Tudor and Utopian standards. Has anyone else read the book? What do you think of More's work? Has it affected your way of thinking?