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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 predict for Becket if he does not "leave well alone?"

2. What ruler of England does the Second Priest refer to as "the stubborn King?"

3. What is the first action that the Second Priest wants to take to welcome the Archbishop back to Canterbury?

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

5. What does Becket call "the springtime fancy?"

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What story does Becket tell about Christmas Day? Why is it important?

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 Interlude?

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

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

7. Why does the Chorus fear the "love of God?"

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

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

10. Why does Becket tell the Chorus to be at peace as they lament and ask for forgiveness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Study the dialogue between the Four Tempters and Becket carefully. Not only does each Tempter have something very different to offer Becket, but they all have different tactics they use to get Becket on their side. Compare and contrast the different aims of the Tempters, their tactics, even the personality traits they put forth to successfully coerce Becket. Explain how each was effective/ineffective in conjunction with Becket's needs and his moral code.

Essay Topic 3

There are many references to "The wheel" in Murder in the Cathedral. Much lore from Ancient Greece and the Middle ages reference the wheel when speaking of a wheel turning as a metaphor of man's fate, fortune and predestination.

1) What part does Becket believe Fate and Destiny play in the final days of his life?

2) How much of this is God's work according to Becket? What are Becket's feeling towards God's actions?

3) What do you believe? It is fate or chance that helped play out Becket's final days as illustrated in Murder in the Cathedral? Feel free to use examples from your own encounters with what you believe to be fate.

(see the answer keys)

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