Some notes on Murder in the Cathedral

(play by T.S. Eliot)

This play tells the story of Thomas Becket's martyrdom, and is about temptation to avoid unpleasant things and, moreover, Christian mourning and joy.

This is an easy read as plays go and I recommend it.  You may take note:

Chorus:  These women are poor folk who relish being left to themselves.  Ever since the archbishop (Thomas) left, they have largely been allowed to sort of settle into a spiritual lukewarmness.  They dread Thomas' return because they know they won't be able to remain neutral.

Messenger: knows that there is neither war nor peace, but expects this "peace" will not last

First Priest:  He is fully aware of the proud nature of both the king and the archbishop; he is afraid for the archbishop and for the Church and worries that the people will "forget" their friend the archbishop

Second Priest: has all his faith in the archbishop; he wondered what the archbishop could be doing in France and what good it could do; he is glad the archbishop has returned and believes the answer lies with him

Third Priest:  He seems to be the wisest; he says the least; he sees the inevitable downfalls of temporal government; he recognizes that the king and the archbishop are like "the hammer and the anvil", and he knows that something must happen, be it good or bad - it cannot remain unresolved

Comparing the Priests:  The first is perhaps the least trusting in God of the three.  The second, on the other hand, has misplaced his trust.  He trusts that the archbishop will come out victorious.  He can almost see the archbishop conquering the king, coming out of the battle carrying a banner, victorious!  The third, those the wisest, lacks joy and seems to lack hope.  He does not know how things will end, but he know that will go one way or another.

First Tempter:  He is worldly; he thinks of comfort and easy living without strife against something; he tempts Thomas with the familiarity that he once had with the king; he proposes a sort of compromising of values

Second Tempter: thinks that the archbishop should accept the Chancellorship again, resigning his current spiritual position, in order to be of more influence to the poor, etc.; he tempts Thomas to value worldly power over the greater spiritual responsibilities that he now possesses

Third Tempter:  He obviously has a political agenda; he sounds like a politician; notice that he represents barons and tempts Thomas to allegiance against the king

Fourth Tempter: notice that Thomas did not expect this one, making it the most dangerous; pretends to think just as Thomas thinks; notice he quotes Thomas' words, making them seem to say what the tempter wants them to say; asserts that Thomas was right to avoid those temptations: if you want glory, be a martyr; he tempts Thomas to accept martyrdom for his own glory


As the play goes on, we see that all three priests stand on the same ground - they are scared, they fear for the archbishop, and despite their earlier attitudes, they all urge Thomas to do the same thing.