The book opens with a depiction of the Utopian alphabet followed by a transliteration and translation of two Utopian poems. The first poem is written in the voice of Utopos, the founder of the Utopian state, and extols the intellectual and political humility of the Utopian people. The second poem is attributed to the Poet Laureate Mr. Windbag, who is described as “Nonsenso’s Sister’s Son.” The nation in which Mr. Windbag was crowned laureate goes unnamed. In this poem Windbag praises the practicality of the Utopian people who do not merely speculate about the best possible society, as Plato’s Republic did, but make it a reality. Because of their commitment to realizing the best possible society, Utopians serve as an example to all peoples.

The letters that follow the poems are addressed by characters within the novel (both of whom were also historical figures). The first is from Thomas More to his friend Peter Gilles. More offers a first sketch of the framing narrative: what will follow is simply his recounting of a conversation with Raphael Nonsenso, intrepid world traveler and philosopher. More explains his delay in writing this conversation down and anticipates certain criticisms, which he dismisses.