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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the Second Tempter tell Beckett he will be like if he continues on course?
(a) An old fox, circled with hounds.
(b) A young doe, circled with wolves.
(c) An old stag, circled with hounds.
(d) An old dog, circled with wolves.

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

3. In what year does Murder in the Cathedral take place?
(a) 1070.
(b) 1170.
(c) 1710.
(d) 1077.

4. How does the Fourth Tempter claim Beckett can have ultimate glory and power over the King of England?
(a) By giving his money to the people.
(b) By becoming the Chancellor again.
(c) By killing the King.
(d) By becoming a martyr.

5. How does Thomas Beckett's thought end?: "If the Archbishop cannot trust the Throne/ He has good cause to trust none but _____________"
(a) The Pope alone.
(b) Himself alone.
(c) God alone.
(d) His people alone.

6. What metaphor does the Third Priest use to compare the relationship between the King and the Archbishop?
(a) A wolf and a sheep.
(b) A rock and a hard place.
(c) Fire and water.
(d) A hammer and an anvil.

7. What does Becket call "the springtime fancy?"
(a) Ceremony.
(b) The impossible, the undesirable .
(c) Acrimony.
(d) Leave-well-alone.

8. Why does Beckett believe that the local bishops would not support a power move like regaining his Chancellorship?
(a) Because the Pope would not allow it.
(b) Because he excommunicated them.
(c) Because the King would not allow it.
(d) Because the Pope excommunicated Beckett.

9. 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 prevent a murder.
(c) To warn Thomas Becket.
(d) To serve the Priests of the Cathedral.

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

11. According to the Four Tempters, what is man's life?
(a) An inconvenience to God.
(b) A viscious cycle.
(c) A cheat and a disappointment.
(d) A fleeting moment.

12. What is one thing the Third Tempter and his party want from Beckett?
(a) Favor from the Church.
(b) Money.
(c) Happiness for the People of England.
(d) The blessing of God.

13. What does the Third Tempter believe upon his arrival?
(a) He was unexpected.
(b) He was expected.
(c) He is in danger.
(d) He is there to cause confusion.

14. What idea does the Fourth Tempter repeat that Beckett voiced on his first entrance?
(a) Suffering is life and life is action.
(b) Everything is suffering and suffering is everthing.
(c) Action is suffering and suffering is action.
(d) Life is suffering and suffering is death.

15. What is the first action that the Second Priest wants to take to welcome the Archbishop back to Canterbury?
(a) Lead a prayer.
(b) Throw a celebration in his honor.
(c) Have a feast.
(d) Have the fires lit in his rooms.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What doesn't the Third Priest see in "the art of temporal government?"

3. Who states that "Power is present. Holiness hereafter?"

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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