When the Utopians were introduced to the teachings of Christ, many were deeply impressed and accepted the new doctrine. When certain mishaps occurred to some of those who were arguing against those primitive beliefs, it caused the simple folk to imagine that the victims were being punished for denying their old beliefs. In fact, they might by now have been entirely shaken off if it had not been for some unlucky accidents. Gradually the population is discarding the superstitions that formerly were in general acceptance. The majority, however, believe in one omnipotent deity whom they call Mithras. For example, some of their people worship the sun, some the moon, and some famous men of virtue. People are allowed freedom of belief, with the consequence that there is a variety of religious sects or, as we should say, denominations. There is no official state religion in Utopia. Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: More's Concluding Observation.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Peroration.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Religion.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Treaties and Alliances.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Marriage and Divorce.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Euthanasia.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Slavery.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Philosophy.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Learning.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: The Economy.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Travel.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Community Life.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Markets.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Population Control.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Occupations.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Officials.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: The Cities.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Country Life.Book II: The Discourse on Utopia: Geographical Features of Utopia. ![]() Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: More Versus Hythloday on Public Service. ![]() Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: The Council for Financial Affairs.Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: Hypothetical Meeting of the French Council.Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: The Meeting at Cardinal Morton's House.Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: Opening of the Discussion.Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel: Setting the Stage.That More the author intends Hythloday to be an ambiguous character-is he a herald of good tidings? a verbose crackpot?-is suggested by his name: “Hythloday” likely means something like “peddler of triflers” or “kindler of nonsense,” and yet the traveler also shares his first name with the Biblical angel who helps man understand the ways of God. As wise as he is, Hythloday is nonetheless pessimistic: he does not believe that reason and wisdom can improve society as it is currently organized, because pride, private interests, and flattery have made it so that good counsel falls on deaf ears in the king’s court. Hythloday also tells the two men about the most perfectly governed society he knows of, namely, Utopia, where he lived for five years. As such, Hythloday is able to provide More and Giles with a critique of governance in Europe, and more specifically in England, which he finds to be irrationally ruled by pride. Hythloday traveled the world (in the book) alongside the great historical explorer Amerigo Vespucci, and he knows a great deal about many foreign peoples and countries. ![]() Raphael Hythloday is an old, sunburned, long-bearded, wise (and fictional) man from Portugal who meets Thomas More and Peter Giles in Antwerp.
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