View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Beckett claim the Fourth Tempter offers?

2. What position did Becket resign when he was made Archbishop?

3. How does the structure of the dialogue change during Becket's first temptation?

4. What does Beckett believe to be the last temptation and what he fears the most?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the Priests enter at the beginning of Part II to change the ambiance of the play? Do you believe it is effective?

2. After the temptations, what do the Chorus want Becket to do? Why?

3. Why does Becket believe it is appropriate to celebrate the martyr, Stephen, the day after Christmas?

4. At the beginning of Part II, how does the Chorus describe the oncoming Spring? What do you think Eliot intended it to relay the audience?

5. How does Becket believe you cannot define a martyr?

6. How does the Chorus feel about Becket's return to England?

7. Looking at the Interlude, how was the Fourth Tempter successful? How was he unsuccessful in his aims?

8. Why does Becket tell the Chorus to be at peace as they lament and ask for forgiveness?

9. What does Thomas Becket do to attempt to have a safe passage back into England?

10. What is one of the more specific crimes the Knights bring up in their accusations?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Part II, the Fourth Knight states that "there are times when violence is the only way social justice can be secured." They have just killed an important political figure to bring about what they perceive to be order, and they believe it to be justified.

1) Can you see the Knight's point of view on this matter? Explain why they may or may not be justified in their actions.

2) Use an important historic event that you believe parallels the Knights belief. Look at the details of such events as the 1968 Democratic National Convention or the Rodney King riots. You may even use examples of executions and the death penalty (i.e. The hanging of Saddam Hussein). Compare your example to that of the murder of Thomas Becket. Looking at your evidence, do you believe that violence can bring about a peaceful end?

Essay Topic 2

There are many references to the broken relationship between Becket and King Henry II. What was their personal and political relationship like before their falling out? What were Becket's crimes against the monarchy, and what did Henry do to instigate them? What has their relationship consisted of since Becket returned to England? How have they changed? Use examples from the text to back your assertions.

a) Using what you know about the two characters, whose side would you back based on your own political and spiritual outlook? Why?

Essay Topic 3

From the moment the play opens, there is an ominous approaching event that culminates in the murder of Thomas Becket. Throughout the play, several characters continue to foreshadow Becket's murder, including Becket himself.

1) Cite several examples of foreshadowing from the text and describe the importance of this as a tool of the plot and the building of characters.

2) Do you believe that knowing about the death of Thomas Becket from the beginning lessens the effectiveness of the climax or strengthens it? Do you believe Eliot's choice made Murder in the Cathedral an effective story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,153 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample