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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Act 1.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the Third Tempter describe himself?
(a) A rough, straightforward Englishman.
(b) A man who is rich in spirit
(c) A rough and angry follower of the king
(d) A surly English peasant

2. What does Beckett believe to be the last temptation and what he fears the most?
(a) Doing the right deed for the wrong reason.
(b) Doing the thing you cannot do.
(c) Dying.
(d) Doing the wrong thing for the right reason.

3. Who are the first two characters who speak of "the wheel" on separate occasions?
(a) The First Priest and the Second Priest.
(b) The Third Priest and Thomas Becket.
(c) The Chorus and Thomas Becket.
(d) The First Priest and the First Tempter.

4. What does the Chorus claim is their purpose in the action of the play?
(a) To witness the events and take no action.
(b) To warn Thomas Becket.
(c) To serve the Priests of the Cathedral.
(d) To prevent a murder.

5. What does Becket claim is the "substance of our first act?"
(a) Temptation, and the life with temptation.
(b) Shadows, and the strife with shadows.
(c) God and his greatness.
(d) God and his mercy.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. What, according to the First Tempter, "should be more than biting Time can sever?"

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

5. In Part One, where does the action of the play take place?

(see the answer key)

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