Utopia Study Guide

Utopia Study Guide
Explain the difference between Sir Thomas More the author and More the character.
Explain why More was traveling.
Who introduces More to Raphael and why does he think that More should meet him?
Explain how Raphael got to Utopia and how he left?
Why do More and Giles think that Raphael should be in the service to the king?
Now all the reasons
Why does Raphael say that he would not do well in the service of the king?
Raphael discusses his visit to England and his disagreement with the lawyer. What to they argue about and what is Raphael’s stance on the issues.
What about the sheep?
Know what the Achorians asked of their king.
Know how the Macarians’ king deals with money.
Know how the Polyerites deal with thieves.
What is Raphael’s view on private property? Do you agree with him? Why or Why not?
Why is Utopia difficult to reach? Where is it located? How did it become an island?
Describe any of the cities in Utopia in great detail.
What does Aynder mean and how is being used satirically?
How did Utopia get its name? What was its original name?
Why can’t decisions before the senate be made unless it has been discussed for on three different days?
What is the breakdown of a citizen’s daily schedule?
Explain how meals are served (who does what and who sit where)
Can Utopians travel outside of their own city? What rules must the meet?
What are the Utopian’s view of Gold, Silver, and Jewels? What are they used for in the society?
What happens when foreign ministers visit utopia wearing their jewels and silks?
Where do gold and silver get value? How does the Utopian people’s view of gold and silver compare with our own society? Provide concrete examples.
Know the nature of their religious principles. (p 50)
Know why people in 1500’s would have recognized the God of Utopia as a Christian God, although there is no direct reference too this.
What role does pleasure play in their moral philosophy?
Why do the Utopians value education?
Know the three types of slavery. Know how you can be freed, and which of the three types are punished most harshly
How do Utopians care for the sick and dying?
Explain the marriage customs of the Utopian people?
How are the gravest crimes punished? How are disabled people cared for?
Are their lawyers in Utopia? Why or Why Not?
Do Utopians make treaties? Why or Why not?
Discuss in detail how utopians wage war.
How is religion practiced in Utopia? How was Christianity introduced to the Utopian people? Did they accept it? What about those who didn’t?
How did King Utopus deal with the issue of religion?
How are funerals conducted?
How do they feel about fortune telling?
What is the one thing that Raphael asserts that keeps the world from adopting the ideals of Utopia? Describe this one thing in great detail?
Discuss three contradictions in Utopia?