He neglects, however, to mention the location on the map - that is, the latitude and longitude, but other specifics are calculated to give the reader a sense of a real place.Ĭountry Life.

At the outset, Hythloday gives some geographical data, the shape, the length, and the breadth of the island. The conversation of More, Peter Giles, and Raphael Hythloday is interrupted while they enjoy a pleasant dinner, after which Hythloday gives an account of the whole life pattern of the Utopians. A few incidental references comparing the state of affairs in contemporary Europe with the manners and government of a nation on a remote island called Utopia leads into the discussion in the second book. His criticisms are directed specifically at the severity of the penal code, the gross inequities in the distribution of wealth, the unequal participation in productive labor, and the appropriation of farm lands for sheep grazing.īook I represents the negative side of the picture which More intends to create, the statement of what is wrong with 'civilization' in his time. In pursuit of the argument, Hythloday proceeds to a critical analysis of the patterns of law, government, economics, and mores among European nations and, most particularly, in England. It is identified as 'The Dialogue of Counsel.' This segment of Book I is conducted as a debate among the three men on the obligations of a man of experience and integrity to play an active role in the service of country and mankind. In support of these convictions, he relates experiences during an earlier visit to England and cites two instances of policy-making in recent international power struggles. The majority of those presently sitting in royal councils invariably practice a system of flattery toward their superiors and of personal aggrandizement and would surely override his idealistic and philosophical proposals. First, he does not believe that, as things stand, his advice would be accepted. Hythloday discourses at length on the reasons for his reluctance to undertake such employment. When More and Giles discover how widely Hythloday has traveled and realize the depth of his understanding of the governments of many nations, they propose that his knowledge is too valuable to waste and that he ought to enter the service of some monarch as councilor in order to employ his knowledge in the service of mankind. The long day's conversation among the three men constitutes the substance of the book. More tells how, when he was in the Low Countries on government business, he was introduced by his friend Peter Giles to Raphael Hythloday, a veteran traveler. Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: More's Concluding Observation.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Peroration.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Religion.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Treaties and Alliances.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Marriage and Divorce.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Euthanasia.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Slavery.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Philosophy.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Learning.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: The Economy.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Travel.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Community Life.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Markets.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Population Control.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Occupations.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Officials.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: The Cities.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Country Life.

Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Geographical Features of Utopia.

Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: More Versus Hythloday on Public Service.Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: The Council for Financial Affairs.Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: Hypothetical Meeting of the French Council.Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: The Meeting at Cardinal Morton's House.Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: Opening of the Discussion.Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: Setting the Stage.

Utopia thomas more lesson