Pollutions Beyond the Walls In More’s London and in his Utopia

Abstract

The pollutions discussed in this paper are merciless or inhumane activities practiced by people against other people or even against other creatures. The three main ones observed by young Thomas More as he travelled beyond the western wall of London in the early 1490s, were as follows: (1) butchering of animals at the Smithfield pens; (2) quarantining of diseased persons at St. Giles-in-the-Fields; and (3) executions of criminals at the Tyburn gallows. These gruesome activities are described in Part I of this study. Such activities must have had profound effects on More. They are discussed in his Utopia, published in 1516, and in each case that sort of activity is related to concepts of mercy or compassion. Analysis of the pertinent passages from Utopia is provided in Part II. Further pollutants, especially hunting, warfare, and imperialism, are taken up in Part III, with the prime examples of such beastliness being the activities of the despicable Zapoletes. The paper concludes by noting More’s portrayal of the Utopians’ opposition to bloodshed, violence, and domination, and whether or not in doing so he was indicating an attraction to Franciscan ideals, or simply to the true and radical teachings of Christianity.