Symbolism and Imagery in “A Man for All Seasons” Mr. Stratton ENG4U

For the following quotes/passages, explain the purpose of the water or land imagery. Explain the metaphor and what it is suggesting about the nature or actions of the character, thing or event. Please provide any relevant context of the quote/passage to support your answer. You may have to re-read your symbolism handout and/or the scene where the quotes/passages appear.

More: “Will, I’d trust you with my life. But not your principles. You see, we speak of being anchored to our principles. But if the weather turns nasty you up with an anchor and let it down where there’s less wind, and the fishing’s better. And ‘look’ we say ‘I’m anchored! To my principles!” (41).

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“The currents and eddies of right and wrong, which you find plain-sailing, I can’t navigate, I’m no voyager. But in the thickets of the law, oh there I’m a forester. I doubt if there’s a man alive who could follow me there, thank God” (p. 39).

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Henry: “No ceremony, Thomas! No ceremony! A passing fancy – I happened to be on the river. Look, mud. More: “We do it in better style, Your Grace, when we come by the road”. Henry:”Oh, the road! There’s the road for me, Thomas, the river; my river…” (p. 27).

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Henry: “But look now – I shall not forget the feel of that…great tiller under my hands…I took her down to Dogget’s Bank, went about and brought her up in Tilbury Roads. A man could sail clean round the world in that ship”. More: “Some men could, Your Grace”. Henry: “Touching this matter if my divorce, Thomas; have you thought of it since we last talked?” (p. 30-31).

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Bonus: What is the irony of the following quote? More: “I am sick to think how much I displease Your Grace”. Henry: “No, Thomas, I respect your sincerity. Respect? Oh, man it’s water in the desert…” (p. 32).

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