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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 Messenger say were the last words of Thomas Becket to the King of England before the Archbishop's exile?

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

3. Why does Beckett believe that the local bishops would not support a power move like regaining his Chancellorship?

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

5. Who does Becket say saved him from the wrath of his enemies?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the First Tempter use to entice Thomas Becket?

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

3. Why does Becket fear that giving into the Fourth Tempter would be doing "the right deed for the wrong reason?"

4. What is the meaning of the urgency behind the Knight's demands upon entering the scene?

5. How long has Thomas Becket been away from Canterbury? Why has he chosen to stay away for so long?

6. What is the opinion of the Messenger of the relationship between the King and the Archbishop?

7. What does Becket mean when he states to the Priests, "The moment foreseen may be unexpected when it arrives?"

8. What is the opinion of the three priests on the subject of Becket's homecoming to Canterbury?

9. How do the Priests define the meaning of "to-day?"

10. How does Becket believe you cannot define a martyr?

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

The Interlude is the sermon Becket gives on Christmas Day. He says it may be his last.

1) Who is this sermon directed to? What is his relationship to them?

2) What is the main argument of his speech and what are the points that lead up to his conclusion?

3) What is the purpose of this final sermon? What does he want from the audience? How does he make it an effective speech?

Essay Topic 3

There are many references to the broken relationship between Becket and King Henry II. What was their personal and political relationship like before their falling out? What were Becket's crimes against the monarchy, and what did Henry do to instigate them? What has their relationship consisted of since Becket returned to England? How have they changed? Use examples from the text to back your assertions.

a) Using what you know about the two characters, whose side would you back based on your own political and spiritual outlook? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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