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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Beckett feel about martyrs?

2. Which Biblical story does Beckett mention?

3. Which specific Canterbury martyr does Beckett ask the congregation to remember?

4. Whose idea is being echoed when Beckett talks of the promise of peace being "a disappointment and a cheat?"

5. Beckett asks the congregation to think about the meaning of what word?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

After the murder of Thomas Becket, the Four Knights have a chance to explain their different reasons for assassinating the Archbishop. Write an essay with the following parts:

Part 1) Choose one of the Four Knights arguments. Study their speech and outline their argument.

Part 2) Choose to either support their point or debate their point and write an argument for or against the assassination.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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