Eng426 20th century english literature

Conflict between the State and the Church: both the State and the Church are two influential powers in the society and the tensions or unhealthy rivalry that could come when they both compete for power is seen in Murder in the Cathedral. Henry and Beckett were friends before the latter becomes the Archbishop but once Becket attains power their friendship suffers as Beckett no longer supports King Henry’s governance especially as it affects the Church. The way the Archbishop challenges the authority of the King causes the conflict in the play and Henry decides to put an end to this struggle for supremacy, hence, Becket’s murder.


Murder and Martyrdom: Beckett did not fall for the other Tempter’s offer of an easy life, riches and fame and power if he decides to support the King but he falls for the Fourth Tempter’s offer of martyrdom which leads to his assassination. Becket’s surrender to become a saint is motivated by selfishness, it is a cowardly act and it could also be seen as suicidal but he could also be seen as a good archbishop who decides to die instead of compromising his faith. The issue of martyrdom and who should be a martyr is really one of the issues that could be questioned in the play.


Poverty and Oppression: through the chorus we could see that the people of Canterbury especially the ordinary people are passing through a hard time because Henry had
decided to make life hard for them and make them struggle helplessly. Now that Becket is back they feel that there will be relief for them but they also fear for Beckett’s fate in the hands of King Henry II.


3.4 Characterisation in Murder in the Cathedral
Thomas Becket: he is the hero of the play and the archbishop of Canterbury who was raised from the position of the Chancellor to the exalted position of the archbishop by the King. He was on friendly terms with the King before he became the archbishop but he is on exile because of the tensions that was present between him and the monarch. Becket decides to interfere in the matters between the Church and the monarch especially the rights of the Church. He is accused of being a proud man who is not willing to submit to the monarch. Becket is more interested in fighting for the rights of the Church and submitting to the will of God than to man’s dictates. He carries this belief to the end when he submits himself to be killed and become a martyr.


Four Knights: the four knights are the agents of the King to get rid of Becket. They present Becket with different temptations so that he could stop antagonising the monarch. After Becket’s assassination, the Knights come on stage to justify the reason(s) they killed Becket. It is clear that though they were successful in getting rid of Becket, Becket is indeed the victor especially as he refuses all worldly riches and glory and decides not to fall into the hands of men but submits to God’s will and becomes a martyr that will be honoured for ages to come.