Murder in the Cathedral: A Classic Verse Drama by T.S. Eliot
If you are looking for a captivating and thought-provoking play to read, you might want to check out Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot. This play is a masterpiece of modern literature that dramatizes the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. It explores the themes of power, faith, temptation, and martyrdom, and showcases Eliot’s poetic genius and dramatic skill.
What is Murder in the Cathedral about?
The historical background of the play
The play is based on the actual historical conflict between Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and King Henry II of England. Becket was once a loyal friend and chancellor of Henry, but he became a fierce defender of the church’s rights and independence after he was appointed as archbishop. He clashed with Henry over various issues, such as taxation, jurisdiction, and clerical privileges. He was exiled to France for seven years, but he returned to England in 1170 after reaching a fragile agreement with Henry. However, he soon angered Henry again by excommunicating some of his supporters. Henry reportedly uttered a rash remark that was interpreted by four of his knights as a command to kill Becket. They traveled to Canterbury and murdered Becket in his cathedral on December 29, 1170. Becket was canonized as a saint by Pope Alexander III in 1173, and his shrine became a popular pilgrimage site.
The main themes and characters of the play
The play is divided into two parts, with an interlude separating them. The first part depicts Becket’s return to Canterbury and his encounter with four tempters who try to persuade him to abandon his spiritual duty and pursue worldly power or pleasure. Becket resists all their temptations, except for the last one, which suggests that he should seek martyrdom for his own glory. Becket realizes that he must not desire martyrdom, but accept it as God’s will. The interlude consists of a sermon that Becket delivers to his congregation on Christmas Day, in which he reflects on the meaning of martyrdom and foreshadows his own death. The second part shows the arrival of the four knights who confront Becket and accuse him of treason and disloyalty to the king. Becket refuses to submit to their demands or flee from them, and he is killed by them in front of the altar.
The play features a chorus of women of Canterbury who comment on the action and express their fears, doubts, and hopes. They represent the voice of the common people who are caught between the conflicting forces of church and state. They also serve as a bridge between the audience and the characters, inviting them to share their emotions and thoughts.
Why is Murder in the Cathedral worth reading?
The literary and cultural significance of the play
Murder in the Cathedral is widely regarded as one of Eliot’s finest works and one of the most important plays of the 20th century. It was first performed in 1935 at Canterbury Festival, and it has been adapted for radio, film, opera, and ballet. It has influenced many other writers and artists, such as Jean Anouilh, Robert Bolt, Ingmar Bergman, and Derek Jarman.
The play is also relevant to the historical and social context in which it was written and performed. Eliot wrote it during the rise of fascism in Europe, which threatened democracy and human rights. He saw parallels between Becket’s struggle against Henry’s tyranny and his own opposition to totalitarianism. He also wanted to affirm the value of Christian faith and morality in a secular and materialistic society. He hoped that his play would inspire his audience to reflect on their own spiritual and ethical choices.
The poetic and dramatic style of the play
Murder in the Cathedral is a remarkable example of Eliot’s poetic and dramatic talent. He wrote the play in verse, using a variety of forms and rhythms to suit the different moods and situations of the play. He also used many literary devices, such as imagery, symbolism, allusion, and repetition, to enhance the meaning and impact of his words. He blended the elements of classical Greek tragedy, medieval mystery play, and modern drama to create a unique and powerful theatrical experience.
The play is also notable for its use of language and dialogue. Eliot used a mixture of archaic and contemporary English, as well as some Latin and French, to create a sense of historical authenticity and contrast. He also used different modes of speech for different characters, such as formal and poetic for Becket, colloquial and humorous for the tempters, and emotional and lyrical for the chorus. He made the dialogue realistic and engaging, while also conveying the deeper themes and messages of the play.
How to download Murder in the Cathedral text pdf for free?
The legal and ethical issues of downloading books online
Before you decide to download Murder in the Cathedral text pdf for free, you should be aware of the legal and ethical issues involved. Downloading books online without paying or obtaining permission from the author or publisher is considered piracy, which is illegal in most countries. It is also unfair to the author and publisher who deserve to be compensated for their work and effort. It may also harm the quality and availability of books in the future, as authors and publishers may lose their incentive and resources to produce more books.
Therefore, you should respect the intellectual property rights of the author and publisher, and only download books online from legitimate sources that have obtained the necessary licenses or permissions. You should also avoid downloading books from unknown or suspicious websites that may contain viruses or malware that could damage your device or compromise your security.
The best sources to find Murder in the Cathedral text pdf for free
If you still want to download Murder in the Cathedral text pdf for free, you should look for sources that offer legal and safe access to the book. One option is to use online libraries or databases that provide free access to books for educational or research purposes. For example, you can find Murder in the Cathedral text pdf for free on [Project Gutenberg], [Internet Archive], or [Open Library]. These websites have a large collection of books that are in the public domain or have been donated by authors or publishers.
Another option is to use online platforms or services that allow you to borrow or rent books for a limited period of time. For example, you can find Murder in the Cathedral text pdf for free on [Amazon Kindle Unlimited], [Scribd], or [OverDrive]. These websites have a subscription-based model that gives you unlimited access to thousands of books for a monthly fee. You can also get a free trial period before you decide to subscribe.
Conclusion
Murder in the Cathedral is a classic verse drama by T.S. Eliot that tells the story of Thomas Becket’s martyrdom in 1170. It is a fascinating and inspiring play that explores the themes of power, faith, temptation, and martyrdom, and showcases Eliot’s poetic genius and dramatic skill. It is also a significant play that reflects Eliot’s historical and social context, as well as his spiritual and ethical vision.
If you want to read this play, you can download Murder in the Cathedral text pdf for free from various online sources. However, you should be careful about the legal and ethical issues of downloading books online, and only use sources that offer legal and safe access to the book. You should also respect the intellectual property rights of the author and publisher, and support them by buying their books if you can.
FAQs
What is the main message of Murder in the Cathedral?
The main message of Murder in the Cathedral is that one should follow one’s conscience and God’s will, even if it means facing death or suffering. Becket chooses to die rather than compromise his principles or betray his faith. He also accepts his death as a gift from God, not as a result of his own ambition or pride.
What is the role of the chorus in Murder in the Cathedral?
The role of the chorus is to represent the voice of the common people who are affected by Becket’s conflict with Henry. They express their fears, doubts, hopes and prayers for Becket and themselves. They also serve as a bridge between the audience and the characters, inviting them to share their emotions and thoughts.
What is the difference between the four tempters and the four knights in Murder in the Cathedral?
The difference between the four tempters and the four knights is that the tempters try to persuade Becket to give up his spiritual duty and pursue worldly power or pleasure, while the knights try to force Becket to submit to Henry’s authority and renounce his clerical rights. The tempters appeal to Becket’s inner desires and fears, while the knights appeal to Becket’s external obligations and duties.
What is the significance of the interlude in Murder in the Cathedral?
The significance of the interlude is that it shows Becket’s final preparation for his martyrdom. He delivers a sermon to his congregation on Christmas Day, in which he reflects on the meaning of martyrdom and foreshadows his own death. He also warns them of the coming troubles and urges them to remain faithful and hopeful. He also asks for their prayers and forgiveness.
What are some of the literary devices that Eliot uses in Murder in the Cathedral?
Some of the literary devices that Eliot uses in Murder in the Cathedral are imagery, symbolism, allusion, and repetition. For example, he uses imagery of light and darkness, fire and water, blood and stone, to create contrast and tension. He uses symbolism of the wheel, the spire, the sword, and the crown, to represent different aspects of Becket’s fate and choice. He uses allusion to refer to various historical, biblical, and literary sources, such as Dante, Shakespeare, and Greek mythology. He uses repetition to emphasize certain words and phrases, such as “living and partly living”, “peace”, and “the last temptation”.
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