Murder In The Cathedral

Where is the scene for Part One of Murder in the Cathedral set?

Archbishop's hall

According to the information in the opening monologue, how many years have passed since the Archbishop has left Canterbury?

Seven years

What does the Chorus claim is their purpose in the action of the play?

To witness the events and take no action

What ruler of England does the Second Priest refer to as "the stubborn king"?

King Henry II

What doesn't the third priest see in "the art of temporal government"?

He doesn't see anything conclusive but violence, duplicity, and malver sation

What important message does the messenger convey to the Priests?

The messenger conveys the important message that the Archbishop has arrived to Canterbury

What are the priests eager to know once the Messenger has delivered his initial message?

They're eager to know if Becket and the Archbishop have made peace, want to know if Archbishop is bringing war or peace

How does the messenger reply to the priests' questions about why the Archbishop returned?

He says that it's a patched up affair

What metaphor does the third priest use to compare the relationship between the King and the Archbishop?

He compares their relationship to a hammer and anvil

At the first scene featuring the three priests, the Chorus speaks again. What do they wish the Archbishop to do?

They wish him to return to France

According to the Chorus, what does the Archbishop bring into Canterbury?

He brings death

How does the Chorus define its time in Canterbury since the Archbishop left seven years previous?

They have been living and partly living

What does the second priest compare the women of Canterbury to?

Croaking frogs in treetops

What is the first idea that Becket relates to his audience and what does he insist that the Chorus "know and do not know"?

They do not know that action is suffering and suffering is action

What is the first action that the Second Priest wants to make to welcome the Archbishop back to Canterbury?

He wants fires lit in his room and for his room to be prepared; celebrations and rejoice

Who does Becket say may have intercepted his letters and planned his demise?

Rebellious bishops

Who does Becket say saved him from the wrath of his enemies?

John, the Dean of Salisbury

What does the first tempter tell Becket that he remembers?

The good times past

What, according to the first tempter, "should be mire than biting time can serve"?

Friendship

What does the first tempter predict for Becket if he does not "leave well alone"?

He predicts that Becket"s goose will be cooked and eaten to the bone

What position did Becket resign when he was made Archbishop?

The position of chancellorship

What is it that the second tempter offers Becket?

He offers Becket the opportunity to regain his Chancellorship

How does the fourth tempter claim Becket can have ultimate glory and power over the King of England?

If he becomes a martyr

Why is the fourth visitor the most successful tempter?

He offers what Becket actually desires

According to the four tempters, what is man's life?

A cheat and disappointment

What does Becket believe to be the last temptation and what he fears the most?

Doing the right thing for the wrong reason

What is Becket's biggest flaw?

His pride

What character is the first to open the production?

The chorus

When is the scene for Part One of Murder in the Cathedral set?

December 2, 1170

On what date and time of day does the Interlude take place?

Christmas morning

In what year does the Interlude take place?

1170

Where is the interlude set?

Cathedral

What are the words Beckett quotes from the Bible?

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will."

From what Gospel does Beckett quote in the opening of his sermon?

Luke

What does Beckett call his congregation?

Children of God

In the opening of the interlude, how does Beckett describe his sermon to his audience?

Short

What does Beckett ask the audience to remember about Christmas mass?

The meaning and mystery of Christmas

What, according to Beckett, is re-enacted during Mass?

The passion and death of Christ

What, according to Beckett, is celebrated that day?

Birth of Christ

Which biblical story does Beckett mention?

Angels appearing to shepherds at Bethlehem on Christmas (nativity scene)

Fill in the blanks: "For who on the world will both... and ...

Mourn and rejoice

Beckett asks the congregation to think about the meaning of what word?

Peace

Why does Beckett believe the thought of the angels bringing peace is strange?

The world has been stricken with war and the fear of war

Whose idea is being echoed when Beckett talks of the promise of peace being "a disappointment and a cheat?"

Tempter

According to Beckett, who was the Lord speaking to when he said, "My Peace I have leave you, my peace I give unto you?"

Disciples

According to Beckett's speech, what was the fate of the disciples?

Death by martyrdom

Defined by Beckett, who was the first martyr who sacrifice is celebrated the day after Christmas?

Stephen

Why does Beckett believe we should celebrate martyrs?

They do it for the glory of God

Who is the only one who can bring Beckett peace?

The Lord

According to Beckett, what is one way you cannot define a martyr?

A good Christian who has been killed because he is a Christian

What is another way Beckett refuses to define a martyr?

Accident of chance

How does Beckett feel about martyrs?

Admires them

To Beckett, what is a martyrdom?

Design of God

What does Beckett see himself as, in reference to his definitions of martyrdom?

Instrument of God

Fill in the blank:"...so in heaven the saints are most..., having made themselves most...

High and low

Which specific Canterbury martyr does Beckett ask the congregation to remember?

Archbishop Elphege

What is another observation Beckett has about his approaching murder?

He may not be the last martyr

Why does Beckett tell the people that he may never preach to them again?

He is soon to be murdered

What would Beckett have the congregation?

Remember his words

Where does part II take place?

First scene- archbishop's hall; second scene- cathedral

On what date does part II take place?

December 29

What is the year in which part II takes place?

1170

What season does the chorus speak of at the beginning of part II?

Spring

What are the priests doing when they enter?

Singing

What does the first priest bring in?

Banner of St. Stephen

What does the second priest bring in?

Banner of St. John the Apostle

What does the third priest bring in?

Banner of the Holy Innocents

When is Holy Innocents day?

December 29

What word do the priests continually mull over?

Today

What characters make their first appearance in part II?

Four knights

Where were the knights before they came to Canterbury?

France

How does the first knight respond when the first priest offers them dinner?

Business before dinner

What is the purpose of the knights' visit?

To see Beckett

Where was Beckett born?

Cheapside

In what city is Beckett's birthplace located?

London

The knights describe Beckett as the king's...

Tool

What is one of the things the knights compare Beckett to?

A louse

Who are the knights loyal to?

King Henry II

Who protects Beckett from physical harm when he is first attacked?

The priests

Where does Beckett insist that the crimes against him should be formally stated?

In public

According to Beckett, who condemned the bishops?

Pope

What part of the knights' claim does Beckett doubt to be true?

That the king has sent them

When Beckett mentions the shepherd and his fold, who or what is he referring to?

Himself and the people of Canterbury

Who or what does Beckett say has final word over the King?

Laws of the church

What does the chorus continue to reference in the speech that begins, "I have smelt them, the death-bringers..."

The five senses

What is one of the major sentiments of the chorus' "death-bringer" speech?

Helplessness

According to Beckett, what can mankind not bear much of?

Reality

Finish the sentence: "I am not in danger..."

Only near to death

How do the priests finally get Beckett to go to the altar?

They force him

What does the scene change to when the priests and Beckett exit?

Cathedral

What do the priests compare the knights to?

Beasts

What does Beckett demand of the priests?

Unbar the door

Beckett believes he has already conquered the beasts; how will he have his final triumph?

By suffering

When the knights are taunting Beckett, where do they continually ask him to go?

Lion's den

Who does Beckett parallel himself with when he says "blood for blood?"

Jesus Christ

The knights ask Thomas Beckett to sever all ties with the... and ...

Pope and French king

Which Knight does Beckett single out as a traitor?

Reginald fitz urst

What image does the chorus keep referring to in their speech as Thomas Beckett is killed?

Blood

Who does the first knight believe the audience is rooting for?

The underdog

What is the name of the third knight?

William de Traci