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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does the Third Tempter represent?
(a) The People of Canterbury.
(b) English Merchants.
(c) The King.
(d) English barons.

2. What ruler of England does the Second Priest refer to as "the stubborn King?"
(a) James I.
(b) Richard I.
(c) Henry II.
(d) Edward III.

3. Why is the fourth visitor the most successful Tempter?
(a) He helps Beckett find peace.
(b) He represents the people.
(c) He makes peace between Beckett and the King.
(d) He voices Beckett's own desires.

4. How many visitors did Beckett expect?
(a) None.
(b) One.
(c) Four.
(d) Three.

5. What, according to the First Tempter, "should be more than biting Time can sever?"
(a) Loyalty.
(b) Death.
(c) Hope.
(d) Friendship.

6. What is not one of the things that the Tempter describes in his flashback of the "good time" Becket used to enjoy in his service to King Henry?
(a) Spring melting the winter ice.
(b) Singing at nightfall.
(c) Fires devouring the winter season.
(d) Fluting in the meadows.

7. According to the information in the opening monologue, how many years have passed since the Archbishop has left the city?
(a) Twenty.
(b) Twelve.
(c) Five.
(d) Seven.

8. When will the First Tempter remember Becket?
(a) At kissing time below the stairs.
(b) On Christmas Day.
(c) On ChristmasEve.
(d) At night when the fires are lit.

9. What is not one of the ways the Chorus, the priests and the Tempters describe an unexpected death?
(a) Taking a shock to the skull.
(b) Slipping on a step.
(c) Attacked by dogs.
(d) Drowning in a ditch.

10. What does the Messenger call the relationship between the King and the Archbishop?
(a) A patched-up affair.
(b) A peaceful affair.
(c) A violent affair.
(d) A silly affair.

11. Finish the thought of the First Tempter: "A man will often love what he ______."
(a) Misses.
(b) Hates.
(c) Spurns.
(d) Sees.

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

13. According to the Third Tempter, what does friendship depend upon?
(a) Peace.
(b) Time.
(c) Circumstance.
(d) Happiness.

14. How does the Second Tempter claim real power is purchased?
(a) At price of his immortal soul.
(b) At price of an uncertain quantity.
(c) At price of his devotion to God.
(d) At price of a certain submission.

15. What position did Becket resign when he was made Archbishop?
(a) Chancellor.
(b) Ambassador.
(c) King.
(d) Bishop.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Beckett claim the Fourth Tempter offers?

2. What does the Chorus claim is their purpose in the action of the play?

3. What does the Second Tempter tell Beckett he will be like if he continues on course?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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