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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. How does the Fourth Tempter claim Beckett can have ultimate glory and power over the King of England?

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

3. What is the first idea that Becket relates to his audience and what does he insist that the Chorus "know and do not know?"

4. What is it that the Second Tempter offers Becket?

5. How does the Second Tempter claim real power is purchased?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why do the Priests continually attempt to save Becket from the Knights even after orders from him to allow fate to take its course?

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

4. Was Thomas Becket prepared for his temptations?

5. Why does Becket believe it is appropriate to celebrate the martyr, Stephen, the day after Christmas?

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

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

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

9. How do the Priests define the meaning of "to-day?"

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The three Priests have been without the Archbishop's leadership for seven years. His return is important to their spiritual well-being.

Part 1) What is the Priests' outlook on Becket's return? What is the opinion of the First Priest? The Second? The Third?

Part 2) Compare the similarities and differences between the individual opinions of the Priests and that of Becket's in regard to his return. What viewpoints do these people represent?

Part 3) Describe how Becket's return was important to these three men and how it reflects the needs of the community of Canterbury as a whole. What is his relationship to this group?

Essay Topic 3

The Chorus serves as a sort of guide and narrator throughout the play.

Part 1) Why does Eliot make the Chorus a group of women? How does this create a different dramatic effect from a male chorus?

Part 2) Describe which social group the Chorus represents and why that is important to its purpose in the plot.

Part 3) What is the Chorus' relationship to Becket and why is that important to their relationship to the audience (the reader)? Is the Chorus a surrogate for us?

(see the answer keys)

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