Summary of “Utopia”
The book begins with a kind of introduction – a letter from Thomas More to a friend Peter Egidia with a request to read “Utopia” and write whether some important details had escaped Mora.
First book
The narration is conducted on behalf of Thomas More. He arrives in Flanders as an ambassador and meets Peter there. He acquaints a friend with the experienced navigator Raphael, who traveled a lot. Raphael, having learned a lot of customs and laws of other countries, singles out those that can be used for good in European states. Peter advises the seafarer to use his knowledge, settled in the service of the sovereign adviser, but he does not want to do this – the kings pay much attention to military affairs and seek to acquire new lands instead of taking care of their own. All the advisers, as a rule, support the lord in this, so as not to spoil his reputation and not fall into disfavor. Raphael also condemns the war and considers it pointless. Minor
Each power considers it necessary to have an army and an unlimited amount of gold for the maintenance of the troops, war is necessary, if only to give experience to the soldiers in the slaughter.
As a true philosopher, Raphael wants to tell the truth, so you should refrain from engaging in public affairs. The navigator talks about the state, whose customs and laws fell in his heart.
The second book
The island of Utopia is named after the founder of this state, Utopa. There are fifty-four cities on the island. Morals, institutions and laws are the same everywhere. The center is the city of Amaurot. The fields are evenly distributed between each region. Urban and rural residents change places every two years: families come to the villages who have not worked here yet.
Amaurot is surrounded by a deep moat, loopholes and towers. It is a clean and beautiful city. Near each house there is a beautiful garden. Private property is so abolished that every ten years the Utopians change their houses by lot.
Every
All men and women in the country are engaged in agriculture. In addition, everyone studies a craft that is inherited. If someone gravitates not to the family business, he is transferred to a family that is engaged in the necessary craft. The working day lasts six hours. Free time, as a rule, is devoted to the sciences or their business. The most zealous in the sciences advance into the category of scientists. Of these, the clergy, ambassadors, trainees and the head of state – adema – are elected.
During the work Utopians are dressed in skins, they walk in the streets in cloaks (cut and color are the same on the whole island). Everyone has one dress for two years.
In families obey the oldest. If the cities are overpopulated, the citizens of Utopia are resettled in the colony, and vice versa. In the center of each city there is a market where goods and food are taken. There everyone can take as much as necessary: everything is in sufficient abundance. In the palaces, all the syphorogy is gathered for public lunches and dinners.
The Utopians can move between cities with the permission of the trabni and the sygote. For arbitrary movement of the utopian, punishment is awaited, with repeated violation – slavery.
Everything necessary in Utopia is in such quantity that some give to the needy other countries, the rest sell. Money Utopians use only in foreign trade and store in case of war. They despise gold and silver: slaves from these metals are slaves, Utopians do not use them at all. Precious stones serve children as toys. Growing up, they leave them.
In the sciences and art, the Utopians have reached great heights. If they have foreign guests, citizens of Utopia get acquainted with their culture and sciences in detail, quickly comprehend and develop them at home.
The life of the Utopians consists of the virtue and pleasures of the body and spirit. Relations are built on honesty and justice, citizens help the weak and care for the sick. Health is one of the main pleasures, beauty, strength and agility are also appreciated.
Slavery is being turned for the disgraceful act of the Utopians or the representatives of other peoples sentenced to execution. The work of slaves brings more benefit than execution.
Severe patients are given the right to interrupt their anguish: life is pleasure, because such an act is not considered a sin. Adultery is heavily punished.
The Utopians consider war to be an atrocity, therefore, for a victory, first of all, use cunning, bribery of the approximate sovereign-enemy and so on. If this method does not help, they rely on military battles. The Utopians hire foreign soldiers and generously pay them. Their citizens are placed only in leadership positions. They can enter the war to protect the oppressed peoples, but never allow battles in their lands.
In Utopia, citizens freely choose any religion. No one has the right to try to forcibly convert another into his faith or to humiliate a heterodox. Most believe in a single god, call it Mitra. No one is afraid of death: a new, even happier life promises a meeting with God.
Priests are in high esteem not only among the Utopians, but also other peoples. They are also elected by Utopia citizens, and women can be elected. Priests are not subject to trial. They can even stop the battle and save the losing, including the opponents of the Utopians.
Raphael finishes the story, and Mor, noting his exhaustion, does not dare to speak out about the absurdity of some of the laws of the Utopians.
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