Question- Discuss the theme analysis "of their slaves and their marriages" in Book II of Utopia by Thomas More.

Or
Critical analysis of Thomas More's Utopia "of their slaves and their marriages".

Answer -

Thomas More's "Utopia" was written in Latin and is in two parts, of which the second describing the place (Greek Text) or Nusquama, as its means "Nowhere" was probably written towards the close of 1515, first part, introductory, early in 1516. It is work of fiction and socio-political satire by Thomas More. The book is a frame narrative primarily depicting a fictional island society and its religious, social and political customs.

Utopia (Book III) of Their slaves and of Their marriages. Prisoners of war are not turned into slaves. Unless they were fighting in the battle in which they were caught. People who commit crimes and are thus condemned to serve the state for life are also slaves as are the poor of the neighbours.

Utopia pragmatically turns crime, death and misery into productivity or so runs hythloday's account. For our part, we might wonder whether a society that relies on slave labour can be anything but morally corrupt, deep down, Bondage may be more humane than the death penalty. But that doesn't mean that it is humane, much less that it should feature in a supposedly perfect society. The Utopians conception of the public good is not one of ruthless productivity and efficiency rather, it is one of general welfare and happiness. Now here is this clearer than in the Utopians health care system, which is centered. On availability and excellence of care as well as compassion. The catholic church, which of the man Thomas More was a part, strictly prohibits euthanasia as a crime against God's gift of life. Again, the question arises, to what extent does the author of Utopia really approve of Utopian policy. The Utopians are so severe in punishing adulterers because ruptured marriages disrupt the peace and operations of the commonwealth. That being said, hythloday never gives a reason as to why the Utopians believe that marriage is the ideal relation between man and woman. It might not be ideal of pleasure, but it is at atleast a system that society and the government and regulate.

Hythloday proves himself either more moral or more irrationally prudish than the Utopians in disapproving of thus pragmatic premarital customs. Still, the comparison of selecting a mate to buying a horse does seem inarguably dehumanizing. Not being able to marry after committing adultery might seem like a punishment that is disproportionate to the crime-after all sex is natural, promotes pleasure and no reason is given for why having multiple partners should be considered a punishable offense. Nonetheless, Utopia's policies concerning divorce are much more liberal than those of More's England. More himself infuriated King Henry VIII when he refused to condone the King's divorce a moral stance that ultimately led to more being executed. To the modern sensibility, it is perhaps shocking that adulterers are sentenced to the same punishment as murders something the blow, however is the Prince's mercy in granting adulterers their freedom. Still the Utopians seem skeptical that adulterers can be rehabilitated. Why else would they prohibit them from remarrying, or go so far as to put them to death? A view of sexuality and romantic love that seems utterly foreign to modern ideas. To its credit, Utopian justice treats offenders in most instances as individual people, not as cases to be processed by a mechanical, inhumane system. Note, however, that punishment is not designed to rehabilitate offenders or make them more virtuous. But rather to cause them grief, which is perhaps not so admirable. As in every other feature of Utopian society, hard work guarantees society's sympathy. We might wonder how Utopians discover whether or not someone has had criminal thoughts and should thinking about committing a crime really merit the same punishment as actually committing it ? At the same time, this reflects a certain idea expressed by Jesus in the Bible that lusting after a woman is the same as actually committing adultery with her. Utopia cares for all of its citizens which reflects a general respect for human life that transcends ruthless practically that certainly governs many aspects of their society.

Make-up is sign of pride to the Utopians and is as useless as gold is to them. Husbands more practically value those qualities which make for a happy marriage.

Utopian society does not just discourage bad behaviour, for this would lower morale. That being said, the Utopians know that those who do good only for honour tend not to be good at all, but merely vain. Leadership in Utopia is not accuse for pride; even the prince is but a humble servant of the people.

Complicated laws arise when societies are elaborately stratified into social classes and when people have the license to pursue bad luxuries and false pleasures. The simplicity of Utopia's structure is reflected in the simplicity of its laws. The practical Utopians appreciate plain readings of law as opposed to cunning misreadings designed to serve private interests. Ironically, Thomas More the author was himself a lawyer.

Hythloday begins Utopia by arguing that good counselors can't do good in the service of princes. The Utopians must disagree, however why else would Utopians go abroad to provide counsel to foreign governments? While Utopia first and formost takes care of its own citizens, we have also seen that the Utopian concept of the 'public good' often extends to the people of the world at large. This is both ideal in promoting universal friendship, and also practical people you treat well are less likely to do you harm.

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