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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 Third Tempter, what does friendship depend upon?

2. What, according to the First Tempter, "should be more than biting Time can sever?"

3. What does the Third Tempter believe upon his arrival?

4. What is not one of the things that the Tempter describes in his flashback of the "good time" Becket used to enjoy in his service to King Henry?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Was Thomas Becket prepared for his temptations?

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

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

5. Why is it that Becket believes a martyr is never an accident?

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

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

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

9. What is Becket's relationship to his congregation?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Interlude serves the important role of allowing the reader to see Beckett's point of view on martyrdom. His sermon argues the importance of martyrs in society and why he understands God's plan in the sacrifices they have made.

1) Study Becket's arguments carefully. Does he seem absolutely certain of his own death?

2) Why does Becket feel he will prove to be a martyr to his people if he dies?

3) Why does Becket seem to accept his fate so readily?

4) Conclude why Becket chose to use his last sermon to explain his actions (i.e. accepting his fate).

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Becket believes that his death will ultimately bring good to the public, the church, and his own spiritual well-being.

1) Cite several instances in which Becket or another character argue for the choice of martyrdom. Define what Becket's modus operandi is in allowing his own murder

2) Looking at the way his followers reacted to his death, were Becket's goals achieved?

3) Think of another historic figure that you consider a martyr (i.e. Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr.). Compare that person with Becket.

4) For you, what truly defines a martyr? How does the death of one person catalyze social change?

5) Do you believe there are the moral implications to celebrating death in such a way?

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