Utopian texts caution society of its flaws through the portrayal of extreme ideals and values in an alternate world. This is inherent in Thomas More’s Utopia, which highlights idiosyncratic corruption and greed of 16th century England through contrast with an ideal egalitarian society. Utopia elucidates the idea of public ownership, using verisimilitude to speculate it as a more viable method of social organisation compared to private ownership in the Monarchy. Furthermore, the text questions the nature of political governance as a result of human egotism through the characters of Raphael Nonsenso and Peter Gilles. In addition, More highlights the shortcomings of the English feudalist system by examining the flagrant disparities created between
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Through a sophisticated mock debate between Raphael and himself, More preposterously demonstrates the injustices present in 16th century England with contrast to the radical world of Utopia. In Book 1, More raises the concern that all thieves are invariably sentenced to death, regardless of the nature of their crime, describing it as, "not only absurd but highly dangerous " to suggest the negative effects it has upon society. More establishes verisimilitude when subtly expressing his distaste at the present legal system in “this method of dealing with thieves is both unjust and socially undesirable”, through the character of Raphael, who allows More to freely express his dogmata without ramifications from the Monarchy. More proposes an ideal solution to deal with criminal matters, formulating the humorous pun of Tallstoria City as a basis for his radical prerogative, describing it as "convenient and humane", imperceptibly suggesting it as an apposite replacement for the existing method of dealing with criminals. The establishment of Tallstoria empowers More to criticise judicial aspects of society and provide a logical solution to the complications of the legal system simultaneously. Furthermore, in Book 2, More frames the argument that Utopians efficaciously utilise criminals as slaves, as opposed to imposing capital punishment through the rhetorical question, “Just how absurd it is to punish theft and murder in the same way” to emphasise his idea that execution is not rational. Moreover, the simile in Raphael’s dialogue “They say it’s just as unpleasant for the criminals as capital punishment and more useful to society” provides profound support for the Utopian model of justice as well as harsh criticism for executions. Additionally, More asserts the notion that capital punishment is not a viable solution in
Through a sophisticated mock debate between Raphael and himself, More preposterously demonstrates the injustices present in 16th century England with contrast to the radical world of Utopia. In Book 1, More raises the concern that all thieves are invariably sentenced to death, regardless of the nature of their crime, describing it as, "not only absurd but highly dangerous " to suggest the negative effects it has upon society. More establishes verisimilitude when subtly expressing his distaste at the present legal system in “this method of dealing with thieves is both unjust and socially undesirable”, through the character of Raphael, who allows More to freely express his dogmata without ramifications from the Monarchy. More proposes an ideal solution to deal with criminal matters, formulating the humorous pun of Tallstoria City as a basis for his radical prerogative, describing it as "convenient and humane", imperceptibly suggesting it as an apposite replacement for the existing method of dealing with criminals. The establishment of Tallstoria empowers More to criticise judicial aspects of society and provide a logical solution to the complications of the legal system simultaneously. Furthermore, in Book 2, More frames the argument that Utopians efficaciously utilise criminals as slaves, as opposed to imposing capital punishment through the rhetorical question, “Just how absurd it is to punish theft and murder in the same way” to emphasise his idea that execution is not rational. Moreover, the simile in Raphael’s dialogue “They say it’s just as unpleasant for the criminals as capital punishment and more useful to society” provides profound support for the Utopian model of justice as well as harsh criticism for executions. Additionally, More asserts the notion that capital punishment is not a viable solution in