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Thomas More

Historical Figure
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Sir Thomas More (1478–1535), English statesman, humanist, and author of Utopia, executed for opposing Henry VIII’s supremacy.

Detailed Definition
More embodies intellectual honesty, moral courage, and the conflict between conscience and state. In poetry, he appears as a martyr for principle and a model of humanist virtue. Poets invoke him to examine themes of integrity, tyranny, the role of the intellectual in politics, and the defense of faith against power.
Example
Example in poetry:
Poets honor Thomas More as the humanist martyr executed for opposing Henry VIII's supremacy, symbolizing moral courage and intellectual honesty.; Verse portrays him as defender of conscience and author of Utopia, blending principle with witty critique.; A poet could invoke More to explore the role of the scholar in politics and the defense of faith against state power.; In historical poetry, he represents integrity's tragic price under tyranny.; Poets reference his Utopia to meditate on ideal societies versus harsh realities.; More enriches verse on humanism, martyrdom, and the ethical dilemmas of public service.
Additional Notes
Thomas More epitomizes humanist conscience and moral courage in poetry. As author of Utopia and statesman executed for opposing Henry VIII’s supremacy, he defended principle against state power. Usage tip: contrast his witty Utopia with his tragic fate to explore ideal versus reality; use dramatic monologues to voice integrity under tyranny. In verse he symbolizes intellectual honesty and the ethical dilemmas of public service. Related figures include Wolsey and Henry VIII for Tudor context. Professors can guide students to reflect on the role of the scholar in politics. More’s legacy offers profound ground for themes of conscience, humanism, martyrdom, and the defense of faith in the face of absolute authority.
Also Known As
Sir Thomas More Thomas Morus Saint Thomas More
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