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 the First Priest believe was Becket's character flaw that ultimately brought an end to his friendship with the King?

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

3. What is the feeling of the general public in regard to the Archbishop's return?

4. What is not one of the ways the Chorus, the priests and the Tempters describe an unexpected death?

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

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. Explain what is offered by the Second Tempter and why it would appeal to Thomas Beckett

3. How does Becket believe man can "mourn and rejoice at once for the same reason?"

4. What are the tactics that Eliot writes into the speech of the Second Knight to persuade the audience to see their point of view?

5. Why might Becket pointedly ask the congregation to remember his words?

6. What is a method that Becket uses to outline his sermon in the Interlude?

7. What might be a reason Becket chose to do this speech?

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

9. Why is it that Becket believes a martyr is never an accident?

10. Why does the Third Tempter state that joining forces with the barony would be a good idea?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at one of T.S. Eliot's most famous poems, The Hollow Men ( Found online at http://poetry.poetryx.com/poems/784/). Read it several times. Now search through Murder in the Cathedral and choose one of the Chorus' speeches. Compare and contrast Eliot's writing style, elements and themes in his works. What are some of the poetic tools Eliot repeats in his monologues? How are the rhythms the same? How are they different?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Becket believes that his death will ultimately bring good to the public, the church, and his own spiritual well-being.

1) Cite several instances in which Becket or another character argue for the choice of martyrdom. Define what Becket's modus operandi is in allowing his own murder

2) Looking at the way his followers reacted to his death, were Becket's goals achieved?

3) Think of another historic figure that you consider a martyr (i.e. Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr.). Compare that person with Becket.

4) For you, what truly defines a martyr? How does the death of one person catalyze social change?

5) Do you believe there are the moral implications to celebrating death in such a way?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,143 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample