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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 a martyr.
(c) By becoming the Chancellor again.
(d) By killing the King.

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

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

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

5. 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 the King would not allow it.
(c) Because he excommunicated them.
(d) Because the Pope excommunicated Beckett.

6. What does the First Tempter predict for Becket if he does not "leave well alone?"
(a) HIs goose may be cooked.
(b) His fat lady will sing.
(c) God will show his wrath.
(d) Everything will be set right.

7. Fill in the blank: "I leave you to the pleasure of your __________, Which will have to be paid for at ______________."
(a) life; your strife.
(b) piety; reckoning.
(c) higher vices; higher prices.
(d) lies; the end.

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

9. How does the Chorus describe itself?
(a) Representative of all people of Canterbury.
(b) Poor folk.
(c) Small folk.
(d) Lonely folk.

10. What character(s) opens the play with the first monologue?
(a) The Messenger.
(b) The Priests.
(c) The Chorus.
(d) Thomas Becket.

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

12. 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) Seven.
(d) Five.

13. 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) Suffering is life and life is action.
(d) Everything is suffering and suffering is everthing.

14. Who does Becket say may have intercepted his letters and planned his demise?
(a) Rebellious bishops.
(b) The King of France.
(c) King Henry II.
(d) Greedy merchants.

15. What important message does the Messenger convey to the Priests?
(a) The King has ordered the execution of Thomas Becket.
(b) The Pope has excommunicated the King
(c) The Archbishop has left France.
(d) The Archbishop has arrived at the city.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is one thing the Third Tempter and his party want from Beckett?

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

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

5. After the first scene featuring the three Priests, the Chorus speaks again. What do they wish the Archbishop to do?

(see the answer keys)

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