Utopia Lesson Plan

Discuss how the theme of public service arises in the conversation between the three men, specifically exploring what obligations, if any, these learned men have to put their higher education toward the greater good.

Raphael's discourse with More and Giles is philosophical and abstract. It is also very idealized. The conversation begins in a church, continues in a garden, and pauses for lunch. This philosophizing is a leisure activity enjoyed by three well-educated men of means. How do we reconcile this with More's confession to Giles that he has been so busy working that he has not had time to write Utopia?

The theme of public service appears in More and Hythloday's...