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During the conversation that Sir Thomas More had with Cardinal Wolsey, it is apparent that Wolsey is a desperate man because the King is losing his patience with Wolsey, and wants the annulment as soon as possible even though it is impossible to get. Many of Wolsey's negative qualities are evident during this conversation as well. Wolsey played an unbeatable game with the King and the Pope. This game was to get the annulment from the Pope to make the King happy. Later in the play, More says of Wolsey "He was a statesman of incomparable abilities. " First of all, it is obvious that Wolsey is a desperate man during the discussion with More because if Wolsey could have gotten the annulment himself without any help, Wolsey would have not been asking for More's help.
Wolsey is being pressured by the king to get the annulment, but since King Henry VIII had to get special permission from the Pope to marry Catherine, this made the Pope hesitant about giving in to Wolsey. As a result, Henry thought Wolsey was the problem, because Wolsey was lazy and could not get what he wanted. Wolsey knew that the King was going to get rid of him if he did not get the annulment soon. Therefore, this is why Wolsey is a desperate man at this point in the play. Second of all, Many of Wolsey's negative qualities are evident during the discussion between Wolsey and More. When Wolsey says that More should drop his "moral squint" this reveals that Wolsey does not think and act like a cardinal at all.
Consequently, Wolsey has no morals. Wolsey is using the King to get what he wants, which is to become the Pope. This shows that Cardinal Wolsey is disrespectful, to the King, as well as to the Pope. Wolsey is also very cocky, the way he acts is as though he were the King himself. Thirdly, Wolsey played an unbeatable game with the King and the Pope. The game was to get the annulment from the Pope, so King Henry VIII would be happy.
The Pope was not going to bend the rules once again for the King. This put Wolsey in an awkward position. Wolsey knew if the King did not get his way then he would lose his job as Cardinal or even be beheaded. Wolsey thought he could get the annulment because he had such good skills with compromising, and getting his way.
Wolsey was never used to being turned down. Furthermore, when Wolsey took the challenge of getting the annulment for the King, Wolsey put everything he worked for at risk. When the Pope refused to give Wolsey the annulment for King Henry, Wolsey lost everything. Consequently, Wolsey lost this game because he was so sure of himself, and thought he could do any thing.
Fourth of all, Later in the play More says of Wolsey " He was a statesmen of incomparable ability. " This means that More thought of Wolsey to have a special ability to compromise, and get what he wanted. This meant that More thought of Wolsey to be more of a statesman, rather than a religious leader. As a result, More thought Wolsey should have been in the government, instead of in the church. In conclusion, Wolsey is a desperate man at this point because of him getting involved with the annulment King Henry wanted, which Wolsey could not get. Secondly, during the conversation Wolsey has with Sir Thomas More many of Wolsey's negative qualities are revealed. Thirdly, Wolsey played an unbeatable game, which was to get the annulment from the pope.
Lastly, Wolsey should have been in the government instead of having a position in the church. Although Wolsey was a smart man, he attempted the impossible. Bibliography: A man for all seasons
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