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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 metaphor does the Third Priest use to compare the relationship between the King and the Archbishop?

2. What does Beckett claim the Fourth Tempter offers?

3. What is not one of the events of the past seven years that the Chorus describes?

4. When will the First Tempter remember Becket?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a literary tool that Becket uses in writing the interlude?

2. 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?

3. After the temptations, what do the Chorus want Becket to do? Why?

4. Was Thomas Becket prepared for his temptations?

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

6. What is one of Becket's rebuttals of the charges against him?

7. At the beginning of Part II, how does the Chorus describe the oncoming Spring? What do you think Eliot intended it to relay the audience?

8. How does the Chorus feel about Becket's return to England?

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

10. What is the tone of the Chorus' "death-bringers" speech after the Knights exit for the first time?

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 Chorus often references their inability to act. At one point during their speech regarding the "death-bringers", they even go so far as to use words like "mastered," "subdued" and "violated." How does the chorus tie the idea of helplessness to the idea of being violated?

1) Do you believe Eliot illustrates a feminist or anti-feminist perspective in the characterization of the Chorus and their words?

2) Cite examples from the Chorus' speeches. What maintains their subordination throughout the play?

3) How do these women reflect our feelings as an audience?

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.

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