Richard Rich is a poor scholar who tries to get preferment from More. More will not employ him in a political office because he does not trust him. He tells Rich to find honest employment as a teacher rather than be tempted in the world of politics. Rich works his way up the political ladder, under the tutelage of Cromwell to become Attorney General for Wales in exchange for lying in court to convict More. He is a foil for More in that he has no scruples or principles or loyalties.