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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. Why is the fourth visitor the most successful Tempter?

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

3. According to the Four Tempters, what is man's life?

4. What does Becket claim is the "substance of our first act?"

5. What important message does the Messenger convey to the Priests?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the Priests continually attempt to save Becket from the Knights even after orders from him to allow fate to take its course?

2. Looking at the Interlude, how was the Fourth Tempter successful? How was he unsuccessful in his aims?

3. How do the Four Tempters describe life?

4. How does Becket get the Priests to unbar the door and allow the Knights to enter?

5. What happens when the Priests enter at the beginning of Part II to change the ambiance of the play? Do you believe it is effective?

6. How does Becket believe a martyr should be defined?

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

8. What is the importance of the banners that the Priests enter with and the mention of all of Saints?

9. What is the part of King Henry II in the play and what is his relationship with Becket?

10. After the temptations, what do the Priests want Becket to do? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following topics:

A) Eliot uses metaphor heavily in this script, especially in comparing people to animals. Choose five examples of this in the script, cite them, and explain why you believe it was effective or ineffective to the characters and the plot as a whole.

B) Evocative imagery is a major component in the dialogue, especially when the Chorus speaks. Look at the Chorus' "death-bringer" speech (p. 66). In it, Eliot uses the idea of the five senses to create images for the reader/audience. Why would he use the five senses to aid in his imagery? Do you believe Eliot used it efficiently?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

The play centers around the struggle between King Henry and the Archbishop Thomas Becket. How does the struggle between spiritual power and secular power represent the battle between the King and the Archbishop? Describe a personal or national issue in which you saw a struggle between religion and politics.

(see the answer keys)

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