Murder in the Cathedral by T. S. Eliot summary and analysis

"The greatest harm can result from the best intentions." 

 The play is set in Canterbury, England, during the reign of King Henry II in the 12th century. The people are extremely worried, as they  anticipate the return of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who had been in exile for seven years.

Thomas Becket arrives in Canterbury amidst great anticipation and anxiety. The people are unsure of how his return will affect the already strained relationship between the church and the crown.

Becket's return puts him at odds with King Henry II, his former friend and ally. Henry expects Becket to support his policies that diminish the power of the church in favor of the monarchy. However, Becket is determined to defend the rights and privileges of the church.

Throughout the play, Becket faces internal and external temptations. Various characters, including the Tempters, try to persuade him to compromise his principles for the sake of personal gain or safety. However, Becket remains steadfast in his commitment to God and the church, despite the consequences.

Frustrated by Becket's refusal to comply with his wishes, King Henry II's followers conspire to exterminate Becket. Four knights, Reginald FitzUrse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy, and Richard le Breton, decide to take matters into their own hands and assassinate Becket in the cathedral.

On December 29, 1170, the four knights confront Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. They demand that he should submit to the king's authority, but Becket refuses. In a brutal and shocking act, the knights brutally murder Becket at the altar of the cathedral, turning him into a martyr.

The play ends with the Chorus reflecting on the significance of Becket's martyrdom. They see it as a triumph of spiritual values over temporal power and praise Becket's courage and sacrifice. The murder of Becket ultimately leads to his canonization as a saint and strengthens the position of the church in England.

In fact Murder in the Cathedral portrays the clash between church and state, the struggle for power, and the ultimate triumph of faith and righteousness in the face of adversity.

Eliot's use of verse drama is significant as it enhances the dramatic tension and heightens the emotional impact of the play. The poetic language enhances emotional  depth of the characters and themes.

One of the central themes of the play is the conflict between secular and spiritual authority. Becket's refusal to submit to the demands of King Henry II highlights the tension between the church and the state, as well as the struggle for power and control.

Becket is portrayed as a complex and enigmatic figure. He is depicted as a man of principle and integrity, willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of his beliefs. His inner conflict and spiritual journey are central to the narrative, as he struggles with the temptations and pressures of his position.

The cathedral itself serves as a powerful symbol throughout the play. It represents the seat of spiritual authority and the sacredness of the church. The murder of Becket within the cathedral is a sacrilegious act that underscores the magnitude of the conflict between church and state.

Murder in the Cathedral can be interpreted as an allegory for the struggle between good and evil, righteousness and corruption. Becket's martyrdom can be seen as a victory of moral integrity over political advantages, highlighting the triumph of spiritual values in the face of worldly temptations. The play is deeply rooted in the historical events surrounding the assassination of Thomas Becket in 1170.

Murder in the Cathedral remains a significant work in the canon of English literature, celebrated for its poetic beauty and profound philosophical insights.

"The last temptation is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason." - Thomas Becket

"Peace is the greatest of blessings, desired by all, but enjoyed by few." - Chorus of Women of Canterbury

"Unbar the doors! Throw open the doors! I will not have the house of prayer, the church of Christ, the sanctuary, turned into a fortress." - Thomas Becket

"The moment of the rose and the moment of the yew-tree are of equal duration." - Thomas Becket

"The church shall be separate from the state, and the state from the church; not merged, but co-existent, each sovereign in its own sphere." - Thomas Becket

"Nothing is hidden from the eyes of God. His justice will prevail." - Thomas Becket

"We do not know very much of the future except that from generation to generation the same things happen again and again." - Chorus of Women of Canterbury