Use Of Language In John Bolt's A Man For All Seasons

According to Chomsky (1973:402) “Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied. Even the interpretation and use of words involves a process of free creation.” Literature is an excellent example of how language can be infinitely restructured and manipulated in the act of creation. Language must at all times be relevant to the moment and the situation (Simpson, 1997:8). Heilman (2015:137) explains that language causes reactions and bears consequences for its masters as well as its recipients. Thus the style of each character’s language leads to characterisation, mood, setting and time of a text as well as adds to the dramatic

According to Tweg (2006:10), the play is mostly written in a modern dialect, yet Bolt incorporated some of Sir Thomas More’s own words in scenes like the trail. In contrast with More’s sophisticated language, is the language of the Common man who speaks more informal, plain and subjective as seen in the lines, “It isn't difficult to keep alive, friends—just don't make trouble—or if you must make trouble make the sort of trouble that's expected.” (Bolt, 1960:162). By agreeing with Armstrong (1961:186), Bolt’s choice in alteration the language may indeed be to intensify the crucial situation. The contrast in language may also be used as an indicator of the educated or high class and the unschooled or lower class both conveying their view. The language in Bolt’s play lends authenticity to the historical context as well as differentiate between classes and by shifting the narration to a poetic form that might only be fully interpreted by an educated reader or