![]() We wonder if Thomas More was serious or humorous about this method which tremendously contradicts Utopian’s set of morality and decency, or about comparing the human body to a horse which is extremely a pejorative image for men and women. Although, what kind of premarital examination can be done in 1500s when medicine and technology (used in medical field) were not developed yet? In the imaginary island, the groom and the bride being naked in front of each other is considered the “premarital examination” it is done to avoid discovering hidden imperfections after marriage (when it is too late) this method is logical for Utopian because it is also applied when buying a horse. Moreover, as mentioned previously, virginity and premarital examination are both a requirement for marriage. ![]() Hence, in England of 1500s premarital sex also was not socially accepted. In addition, utopians who have premarital sex are severely punished although it is a personal freedom and a private concern that the government should not involve in it. For example, to prevent conspiracies against freedom, those who discuss public affairs outside the Senate are sentenced to death. This utopian concept has many contradictions. We then see that the ideal appearance of Utopia has a price which is the destruction of individual expression. The populations of the fifty-four cities speak the same language, wear the same customs, and are governed by the same institutions and laws. But there is no diversity, the inhabitants all lead the same existence, work the same number of hours and live in the same houses. The perfection of the island passes only by the standardization of all its elements (geographical, architectural and human). Also, Utopians believe that virginity and premarital examination are required. Any Utopian that committed adultery and tried to escape the Island is harshly punished, mistreated, and is exposed to servitude. It is mandatory for every Utopian to work in agriculture for two years. In addition, because agriculture is the prime professional occupation in the Utopia. Not alike England at this epoch, where there was a lot of housewives, nobles, and beggars. In Thomas More’s Utopia, every individual should have a job and work for 6 hours. Although, in the island, people share their overabundant resources with pleasure. Thomas More observed how the British society was driven by money, and how some individual receive admiration and esteem by people just for being wealthy. Money nor wealth have a value in the island: “gold is a badge of infamy”. Thus, atheists are refused by the utopian society. On the other hand, any religion that accepts these two principles is legal. Those who do not believe in these dogmas are excluded from the community, but are neither beaten nor killed. They simply postulate two dogmas: the immortality of the soul and the government of the world through divine providence. Religions are multiple and coexist, but most Utopians are monotheistic and recognize an immense and inexplicable God. All individuals are equal and have the liberty of religion. Utopians have abolished private property and apply the principle of common possession. ![]() Any utopian who has independent discussion about public affairs is sentenced to death. The capital which is located in the center of the island is Amaurot because it is the seat of the government and the senate hence, public affairs and concerns of the state are always discussed in council with the Prince. Language, laws, customs and institutions are uniform. Utopia is a crescent-shaped island that contains fifty-four large cities and the distance between every city and another is 24 miles away. Thomas More describes his ideal society which is an island because isolation on the outside is essential to the proper functioning of the ideal society. ![]() The island of Utopia is a kind of positive counter-image of what might be England, if it was better governed. Utopia is a masterwork written by Thomas More, and published in 1516. ![]()
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