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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 First Tempter tell Becket he remembers?

2. Fill in the blank: "I leave you to the pleasure of your __________, Which will have to be paid for at ______________."

3. What does the First Tempter predict for Becket if he does not "leave well alone?"

4. According to the Third Tempter, what does friendship depend upon?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain what is offered by the Second Tempter and why it would appeal to Thomas Beckett

2. What does Thomas Becket do to attempt to have a safe passage back into England?

3. What is a method that Becket uses to outline his sermon in the Interlude?

4. Was Thomas Becket prepared for his temptations?

5. Why might Becket pointedly ask the congregation to remember his words?

6. Taking into consideration the many opportunities to escape his fate, his many followers begging him to change course, and Becket's own prideful nature, why would Becket choose the path of martyrdom?

7. Describe how the town of Canterbury feels about Becket's return and why.

8. What is one of the more specific crimes the Knights bring up in their accusations?

9. How do the Knights taunt Becket upon their entrance into the Cathedral?

10. How does the Chorus perceive the actions of the play and its part in it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Fear is a powerful tool that many characters in the play use to get what they want. The last word comes from the Chorus which states that it fears the love of God. How is fear used in the play? 1) Choose instances in which characters express fear and describe what are they afraid of. Is Eliot trying to make a social point, or is it something more simple?

2) Choose an example of something you've witnessed in your own life in which you or someone else was too afraid to act. It may be from a social situation, religious or political dominance, etc. Compare it to Eliot's examples.

(see the answer keys)

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