Character description of The Common Man

The Common Man
The Common man represents a number of different yet ordinary citizens. He is first introduced as the steward in More’s household, but also fills the roles of boatman, publican, Rich’s steward, jailer, jury foreman at More’s trial and, most sinisterly, the Headsman who execute More. He is supposed to represent the “silent majority” of ordinary people who, like the average “man in the street” sometimes witness injustice without speaking out or acting to intervene. Bolt suggest that the common mans main concern is his own survival, and that if an opportunity arises for him to gain an advantage, he will grasp it with both hands. Bolt hoped that everyone would be able to indentify with the common man and see part of themselves in the character. The Common man’s only criterion for making decisions is how the chosen action will affect him personally. The Common Man does not seek any sort of high status and will not risk his life or personal welfare, ‘his motto is “better a live rat than a dead lion”.