According to Eamon Duffy (The Tablet, 31 January), “Wolf Hall is meant to shape this generation’s perception” of what happened nearly 500 years ago in this country. But, as public opinion is and always has been shaped by the media, Wolf Hall is no exception.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged”, is a wise biblical injunction. God made us all, and does not make mistakes; therefore, we all have been born with the potential for perfection. But the spirit of the age, “the World”, inherited weaknesses, the bad example and advice of our fellowmen prevent us from reaching it.
Because God made us all, and we all carry within us a little bit of God, we should close our eyes to the sins of others, focus on their virtues and find excuses for their faults. Only then can we respect, love, help and forgive everyone – the necessary conditions for being a real Christian.
Both A man for all seasons and Wolf Hall are biased, do not tell the whole truth, and are guilty of misleading the audience.
From the Chambers biographical dictionary, it would seem that Thomas Cromwell was social climber, and opportunist and a sycophant. The son of a blacksmith and brewer, he became Henry VIII’s private councillor, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary of State and Master of the Rolls – by pandering to the King’s wishes and dreams.
Yet, we can understand and pity him. He lived in dangerous times, when opposing the King could result in a death sentence. Few people did – and their motives were not necessarily selfish – they tried to protect their families from destitution and death. It would be unfair to accuse them of greed or cowardice.
Thomas More, on the other hand, had nothing to gain from flattering the King. He was the son of a judge, educated at Oxford, a successful lawyer and politician. He could afford to follow his conscience and his ideals, to contradict the King and refuse his requests.
Both More and Cromwell had valid reasons for their actions. But neither was completely innocent. When in favour, they helped to drive dissidents to the torture chamber and the scaffold. Ultimately, they were both sentenced to death and executed – which, I sincerely hope, will assure their forgiveness, redemption and eternal rest.
In order to be unbiased, history should consider the points of view of both sides. It seldom does. Hence the wisdom of the old adage: “Do not judge and you will not be judge”.
Both Bolt’s and Mantel’s plays compliment each other; together, they give us a fairer idea of what really happened five centuries ago.
Simone Crawley, Sheffield
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