Brit Lit, "Murder in the Cathedral" Reading Questions

Where and when is the scene for Part One set?

The Archbishop's Hall on December 2nd 1170.

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

Seven

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

To wait and to witness.

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

King Henry II

What does the Third Priest see in "the art of temporal government?"

Violence, duplicity, and frequent malversation.

What important message does the Messenger convey to the Priests?

Archbishop Thomas is returning.

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

How is Thomas' relationship with the King?

What metaphor does the Third Priest use to compare the relationship between the King and the Archbishop?

Anvil and hammer.

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

Go back to France.

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

Death

How does the chorus define its time in Canterbury since the Archbishop left seven years ago?

Quiet, without notice, perservering.

What does the Second Priest compare the women of Canterbury to?

Frogs and treetops.

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

Be peaceful to the Chorus; acting on suffering.

Who are the first two characters who speak of "the wheel" on separate occasions?

Archbishop Thomas and the Third Priest.

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

Warm all of the rooms up.

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

Rebellious Bishops from York, London, and Salisbury.

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

John, Dean of Salisbury.

What does the First Tempter tell Becket he remembers?

All the good times past.

What, according to the First Temper, "should be more than biting Time can server?"

Friendship

What is the idea of a wheel supposed to symbolize?

Fate

What does the First Tempter predict for Becket if he does not "leave well alone?"

He will die.

What position did Becket resign when he was made Archbishop?

Chancellor

What is it that the Second Tempter offers Becket?

The glory as chancellor.

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

By being a martyr.

Why is the fourth visitor the most successful Tempter?

It tempts Thomas with his own desires.

According to the Four Tempters, what is man's life?

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 reasons.

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

Christmas morning, 1170.

Where is the Interlude set?

The Cathedral

What are the words Becket quotes from the Bible?

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

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

Luke

What does Becket call his congregation?

Children of God

In the opening of the Interlude, how does Becket describe his sermon to the audience?

A very short one.

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

The deep meaning and mystery of mass.

What, according to Becket, is reenacted during Mass?

The Passion and Death of Jesus.

What, according to Becket is celebrated on Christmas?

Jesus' Birth

Which Biblical story does Becket mention?

The angels and the shepards.

"For who on the world will both _______ and ________ at once and for the same reason?"

Mourn; rejoice

Becket asks for the congregation to think about the meaning of what word?

Peace

Why does Becket believe the thought of the angels brining peace is strange?

There is a lot of war in the world.

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

The Tempters

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

His disciples

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

To suffer and die.

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

St. Stephen

Why does Becket believe we should celebrate martyrs?

More souls in Heaven, glory of God, and salvation of men.

Who is the only one who can bring Becket peace?

God

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

Christian killed because they were Chrsitian.

What is another way Becket refuses to define a martyr?

A good Christian elevated to the company of the Saints; an accident.

How does Becket feel about martyrs?

He worships them.

To Becket, what is martyrdom?

A design of God.

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

Instrument of God.

"so in Heaven the Saints are most ______, having made themselves most _______."

High; low

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

Archbishop Elphege

What is another observation Becket has about his approaching muder?

He will be a martyr.

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

Because he will die.

What would Becket have the congregation do?

Keep the words he said in their hearts.

Where and when does Part II take place?

Archbishop's Hall and the Cathedral, on December 29, 1170.

What season does the Chorus speak of at the beginning of Part II?

Spring

What are the Priests doing when the enter?

Singing

What does the First Priest bring in?

Banner of St. Stephen.

What does the Second Priest bring in?

Banner of St. John.

What does the Third Priest bring in?

Banner of the Holy Innocents.

When is Holy Innocents Day?

December 29th

What word do the Priests continually mull over?

Today

What characters make their first appearance in Part II?

The knights.

Where were the Knights before they came to Canterbury?

France

How does the First Knight respond when the First Priests offers them dinner?

Business before dinner.

What is the purpose of the Knights' visit?

Kill Becket.

Where was Becket born?

Cheapside, London.

The Knights describe Becket as the King's...

Tool

What is one of the things the Knights compare Becket to?

Louse

Who are the Knights loyal to?

The Kings

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

The Priests

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

In public

According to Becket, who condemned the bishops?

The Pope

What part of the Knights' claim does Becket doubt to be true?

That the King sent them.

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

Him and his people.

Who or what does Becket say his final word over the King?

God

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?

They are helpless.

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

Reality

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

Only near death.

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

They drag him.

What does the scene change to when the Priests and Becket exit?

Cathedral

What do the Priests compare the Knights to?

Madden beats

What does Becket demand of the Priests?

Unbar the door.

Becket believe he has already conquered the beats; how will he have his final triumph?

By suffering

When the Knights are taunting Becket, where do they continually ask him to go?

To the lion's den.

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

Jesus

The Knights ask Thomas Becket to sever all ties with the _____ and ________.

Pope; French King

Which Knight does Becket single out as a traitor?

The First

What image does the Chorus keep referring to in their speech as Thomas Becket is killed?

Blood

Who does the First Knight believe the audience is rooting for?

The Knights

What is the name of the Third Knight?

William de Traci

What is the name of the First Knight?

Reginald Fitz Urse

Who is the leader of the group?

First Knight

What is the major point that the Third Knight wishes to relate to the audience?

That they are getting nothing out of the murder.

What, according to the Second Knight, is in the English spirit?

Fair play

How does the Second Knight believe violence is justified?

Maintain social justice.

What is the major question the Fourth Knight asks of the audience?

Who killed the Archbishop?