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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. According to the information in the opening monologue, how many years have passed since the Archbishop has left the city?

2. When will the First Tempter remember Becket?

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

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

5. In what city of England does the story take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. Before Becket is dragged to the altar by the Three Priests, he seems at peace. How is this possible?

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

3. What is the initial and more general accusation the Knights' hold against the Archbishop?

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

5. What is the Interlude?

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

7. According to Becket, how do we define peace?

8. How does Becket believe man can "mourn and rejoice at once for the same reason?"

9. Why does the Third Tempter state that joining forces with the barony would be a good idea?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

The Chorus seems to believe in a "Void." They believe that God's judgment will lead Becket to this Void rather than a peaceful afterlife. The Fourth Knights insists that Becket commits suicide. Using examples from the text, argue whether or not you believe that Becket's actions, which he knew would lead to murder, were justified and moral. Consider: if Becket coordinated his own death, could he still bring about the order he believes martyrdom will bring about? By the end of the play, is he still doing "the right deed for the wrong reason?"

Essay Topic 3

From the beginning of Murder in the Cathedral, we are told of the monotonous and rather unfulfilled lives that are led by the women of Canterbury. In one instance we are told that they believe they are "living and party living."

1) How is the return of Thomas Becket to Canterbury a good thing for its people? What can he offer them that they have been missing in their lives?

2) How does Becket's return affect them negatively?

3) Using examples from the text, how can monotony be a good thing? How is it bad?

(see the answer keys)

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