Thomas More is credited for bringing about the concept of utopian laughter through the book Utopia that describes the fictional island nation where the political system is built on the foundation of reason. In his description of the civilization and how he came to know of its existence, he uses a series of carefully positioned jokes not just satire to the status quo of the particular country but as a means of highlighting various issues of concern. This practice in both Book 1 and 2, present the concept of utopian laughter a stylistic means of conveying important information in a comical manner. More’s intention of writing this book was to seek the assistance of his close friend, Peter Giles, in remembering a few details of the philosophical land that Hythloday describes. In this way, the author will use this presentation to reference some issues present in Britain at the time.
In the dialogue of counsel, the characters More, Peter Giles and Raphael Hythloday are engaged in an intellectual conversation that is intended to help understand the nature of governments. It is evident that the three men have in-depth knowledge of governmental issues and societal struggles. However, it is through their discussions that they realize that Hythloday has such profound knowledge of government due to his extensive travel to the New World. The use a shrewd sense of humor is integral to the rhetorical strategy that the author will incorporate. It gives the reader a better outlook on the issues surrounding the society and the nature of government. The use of utopian laughter is almost immediate as at 1516, the New World was yet to be explored and the author himself had not travelled to distant lands. This calls into question the authenticity of the descriptions given. Many would disqualify them as just a pigment of his imagination hence not a serious account of the social structure.
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However, the character Hythloday provides such great insight in his description of these communities that prompt Giles and More to believe that his knowledge would best serve as a counselor in one of the European monarchs. Hythloday does not have such an intention as ne believes providing his services would be pointless. This is yet another incorporation of utopian laughter where the author uses Hythloday to tell a series of stories why despite having knowledge of such an ideal nation it would be useless to try incorporating these views in the current system of leadership. The current governance involves the use of flattery in the development of policies and decision-making in the kingdom. The subordinates of the king make efforts to sooth his ego and aggrandize him rather than offer advice of real substance. They suggest going into war to increase the size of the kingdom when there are many people in the society suffering in poverty and hunger. In truth, this is a practice that is evident in More’s Britain where leaders are planning to explore the New World when the one they live in is affected by a myriad of issues. This depiction is a joke to demonstrate that the intention to increase the reach of Britain on the world, it would do more harm than good.
One of the stories that Hythloday presents is a dinner with Cardinal Morton and a number of members of the court. The encounter with Cardinal Morton is intended to serve as a utopian laughter present in the formulation of laws and their implementation. As Hythloday describes, one of the guests challenges the others to provide a solution for the problem in the city where there are numerous beggars. The parasite in the form of a joke advises that all of them should be turned into nuns and monks. However, all the other members of the party except for the Cardinal accept this as a true solution. In the same way, Hythloday attempts to make a proposal for the ill capital punishment style implemented on the thieves after an English lawyer boasted of its effectiveness and flawless nature. Bragging about the punishment is comical because death should not be a practice that is praised in a civilized society whether it is enforced on an innocent man or the worst criminal. Hythloday proposes the need to change this practice that would instead focus on eliminating the factors causing desperation to steal. Though his proposal was serious from the jokes made previously, the members of the court meet his request with derision. His novel idea is treated as an absurdity as the society is already content with hanging of robbers and thieves.
Even though Plato identifies the importance of philosophers being involved in government, it is evident that their incorporation would not be fruitful if the leaders themselves do not embrace similar views. The debate between the three men is interrupted as Hythloday begins to describe the island, one of the areas where he claims to have encountered. It is unknown where the island is actually located as he does not provide the longitude and latitude coordinates the help a person reach there. However, he does provide the measurements of the island which is 200miles by 500miles in the form of a crescent. A harbor only 11 miles broad to favor its inhabitants during defense of attacking enemies and has a total of 54 cities evenly distributed with equal landscape and resources. This description serves as utopian laughter as the author points out that he does not clearly remember where it is located. The author focuses on details of less significant meaning such as the measurements of the country and categorically forgets the actual location that would help prove its existence.
The descriptions of the island extend to comical extremes beginning with the subdivision of the country. It is presented that there is a clear divide between the country life and the city life. Hythloday emphasizes on the attention paid to agriculture probably to illustrate its importance in the present and future generations despite developments in other industries and trades. The members over two-year intervals will alternate between the city and country life a practice that would ensure all citizens appreciate all labor aspects. This would enable farmers to relieve themselves of the strenuous activities as they engage in lighter jobs in the city. The implementation of such a plan only emphasizes the utopian laughter where the policy in itself is self defeating. Despite the notion of equality in this society it is evident that there are significant jobs that are more important than others in terms of intelligence and integrity. However, equality in only emphasized because every citizen will participate in some sort of exchange system.
The development of the 54 cities in the island also provides a comical effect in its similarity except for topography. The city only covers an area of 2 square miles that is walled and deep dry ditch is on its exterior. The houses are all uniform in height and design with a garden in the compound. Hythloday was trying to establish a society where the members are all uniform such that all of them have to engage in productive labor through farming or in a given trade. This practice will include all citizens except for the government officials and priests. The exception of priests and government officials from the labor practices also shows significant inequality in the society where some people due to their level of intelligence and integrity are provided favorable job options yet they live a similar lifestyle as that of the ordinary citizen. Such a place is almost impossible to create in every effort to ensure equality.
Some of the extremes of life in the area clearly depict the jests made by More in suggesting them. One of the most important aspects of the society is marriage which is help in high regard. Women are only allowed to marry at the age of 18 while for the men it is the age of 22. However, acceptance of divorce only under certain conditions shows is a significant comical effect that the society may exploit to favor some members. The community also does not favor fornication hence severe punishment is administered for such actions. The practice where a marriage partner inspects the nudity of a potential spouse is somewhat concerning when they pride themselves as being a morally upright society. Additionally, it is depicted that adultery is a ground for causing divorce among the Utopians and if an adulterer repeats his mistake, death is the last resort. This extreme action is depicted as a clear disregard from their communal beliefs. The use of cosmetics and jewelry is a practice that is shameful and used to punish criminals and slaves in the society while to the Anemolians it is a sign of status and power.
In summary, the use of utopian laughter is an essential style of emphasizing the rhetorical nature of the story. The comic tales of book 1 and 2 are used to develop a characteristic jest on the contemporary issue of the culture between the one present in More’s Britain and that of the ideal commonwealth. The more superior society despite being depicted to have the ideal culture of equality is pushed into extremity when social policies are over-exaggerated. For instance, the use of gold for chamber pots and the inspection of spouses before marriage is evident that the philosophical foundation of reason is not enforced into perfection. It is evident that gold and jewelry is used as attire in that Utopians use to mark their slaves and shame them. On the other hand, that is a sign of high status in the society for the visiting communities. Through this depiction, the author uses utopian laughter as a clear means of showing how it may seem absurd to incorporate the view of a philosopher into the current system of governance. Nonetheless, it is evident that this form of leadership should be considered where a number of acceptable practices may be enforced into More’s Britain.
References
Branham, R. B. (1985). Utopian Laughter: Lucian and Thomas More. Moreana , 22(2), 32-43.
