The book Utopia by Thomas More was originally written in Latin in 1516 and in the form of two books. Eventually, the book had gone through various translations which is what we now read as the modern version of the story.
In general, this story is based on a world where everything is perfect and nothing is wrong or unjust. (Hence the name Utopia which means "no place.") Hythlodaeus' — or, the main character's — name means "dispenser of nonsense." How do you think this relates to the story? Is it significant in any way?
As well, the story is based on Catholic traditions and culture because of the fact that Thomas More had been a Catholic Humanist. It has also been discussed that this story is one of satire as it, in a way, "mocks" or criticizes Europe's creed.
Do you agree? Explain.
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I think the fact that Utopia means "no place" and that Hythlodaeus means "dispenser of nonsense" is very signifigant. It suggests that such a place does not exist and that everything we are reading about might be impossible to achieve. Since Hythlodaeus means "dispenser of nonsense", maybe that suggests that everything he was telling More was a lie. (Like we obviously know in real life that none of it is true, but it is supposed to be true in the story.) Maybe he was making everything up...
ReplyDeleteIt does mock Europe's reputation and the fact that Utopia and some many other things mock their true meaning is totally significant. It was a way of getting people to go into a "fairytale" and just plain imagine. I would have to say that this is one of the first non-child book that was meant purely for entertaining. True there are some moral lessons but if there weren't the story would be a bore. You need something to connect back to the reader. More chose to do this through Christianity. He also chose to make people "argue" with the book. If you were a person at the time, you see these ideas and you say "What is he talking about?" Everyone loves to prove someone wrong and that is what keeps the reader reading and More selling more and more copies of the book. :)
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