Beckett is often not understood why he is so radically opposed to close friends.
Beckett came from a commoner. When he was young, he was brought to Henry's side by the bishop because of his intelligence and ability. There is a type of person in this world who is smart, self-disciplined, principled and especially fond of work. Beckett is that he has the ability to do his best in the things his role is responsible for. While he was Henry's Lord of the Seals, he perfectly fulfilled the role of a minister, servant and close friend, considered by Henry to be the most reliable friend and subordinate. Had it not been for the stupid arrangement that followed, Beckett would probably have stood by Henry's side as his most faithful companion.
However, Henry didn’t really understand Beckett’s spiritual world. He misunderstood Beckett before thinking that Beckett could be his puppet to control the church in the position of archbishop.
Beckett has greater ambitions, which cannot be satisfied by money, power and sex, only by glory and feelings. Without the appointment of the archbishop, Beckett's greatest honor as a minister would be the best minister in the kingdom. However, when he was appointed archbishop, he found a higher platform, enough to contend with the kingship. In the role of archbishop, he found what he had been after.
Beckett believed in God, and at the same time was a resolute and serious doer. He had long realized that he would split with Henry when he became archbishop and tried to resign to avoid conflicts. But once appointed, between God and the king, he chose God with little hesitation and nostalgia, for which worldly friendship, love, family, money, power, and even life could be given up.
Firm beliefs are often exclusive, contrary to common sense and inhumane, and have created countless extremists, martyrs and saints. The world has never lacked St. Beckett. Some people may think that Richard Burton's Beckett transformation is too sudden, but if it is too entangled, he is not the uncompromising St. Beckett later, but a mortal person diffracted by our mortal feelings.
However, I still like mortals.
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