| Title | : | Murder in the Cathedral |
|---|---|---|
| Author | : | T.S. Eliot |
| Release | : | 2025-04-19 |
| Kind | : | ebook |
| Genre | : | Theater, Books, Arts & Entertainment, Fiction & Literature, Poetry, Classics |
| Size | : | 221645 |
| T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral is a verse drama that centers around the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered in 1170 for opposing King Henry II’s interference in church affairs. The play explores themes of faith, temptation, martyrdom, and the conflict between church and state. The drama is set in December 1170, during a period of political tension. Becket has been in exile for seven years due to his disputes with the King but has now returned to England. The citizens of Canterbury, represented by the Chorus, express fear and foreboding about what his return may bring. In Part One, four Tempters confront Becket. The first three tempt him with pleasures, power, and political alliance, while the fourth tempts him with the glory of martyrdom. Becket recognizes this final temptation as the most dangerous because it appeals to spiritual pride—the desire for self-glorification under the guise of sacrifice. Between the two parts, Becket delivers a Christmas sermon, in which he explains the paradox of martyrdom: it is both willed and unwilled, a submission to God's purpose rather than personal ambition. Part Two focuses on the arrival of four knights who accuse Becket of treason. Despite knowing the danger, Becket refuses to seek protection. The knights murder him inside the cathedral. Afterwards, the knights defend their actions directly to the audience, trying to justify the murder as political necessity. The play ends with the Chorus mourning Becket's death, recognizing it as a redemptive act that has spiritual significance. Through poetic and symbolic language, Eliot transforms a historical event into a meditation on conscience, sacrifice, and divine will. Murder in the Cathedral is not just a political tragedy but a spiritual exploration of the nature of martyrdom and the eternal struggle between earthly power and divine authority. |
