Style/Technique

disconnected images/symbols, literary allusions/references; Sometimes VERY obscure!!! (sötét, bizonytalan) highly expressive meter, rhythm of free verses, metaphysical whimsical (furcsa, szeszélyes) images/whims, flexible tone.

Murder in the Cathedral

Genre of work: Drama. Type of Plot: Religious chronicle. Time of plot: 1170. Locale: Canterbury, England. First presented: was written for the Canterbury Festival in June, 1935. Format of drama: mostly in poetic form, with effective expression by the chorus (Eliot believed that for contemporary drama to be most effective, it had to be written in poetry.) The archbishop’s sermon is in prose. The anachronistic (korszerűtlen) speeches of justification by the knights are written in prose. Eliot links devices derived from the Greeks – the chorus, static action, and Aristotelian purgation – with his profound commitment to the Anglo-Catholic liturgy. The play in many ways resembles a medieval morality play whose purpose was to enlighten as well as entertain. The drama is an impartial representation. T.S. Eliot shows the politics, both temporal and churchly, which lay behind the murder; he presents the archbishop as a man torn between acting and suffering. The play, dealing with an individual's stand against authority, was written at the time of rising Fascism in Central Europe, and can be taken as an outcry to individuals in affected countries to stand firm against the Nazi regime's perversion and subversion of the ideals of the Christian Church.

Plot

Part I

The women of Canterbury have been instinctively drawn to the cathedral by fear of danger and the need to bear witness. Becket had been gone for seven years. In his absence, the poor had suffered oppression. During this time, the women had tried to keep their households in order and safe. The priests knew that the struggle for power was at hand (Henry II vs. the Church). All were wondering if the archbishop and the king had been reconciled (kibékít). A herald tells of a hasty (elsietett) compromise and that Becket had said that the king would not see him again. After the herald left, all expressed pessimism. Many thought that it would be better if the king were stronger OR Becket weaker. They were glad that Becket was returning home to them. The women thought that Becket should return to France – he could still be their spiritual leader but be safe. Becket arrives and speaks to the priests and the women. Becket tells them of the difficulties that he has had due to the rebellious bishops and barons wanting him dead. He had been spied on and had his letters intercepted. At Sandwich, he had barely escaped from his enemies. Reminds Becket of when he was chancellor – not archbishop. As chancellor, Becket had known worldly pleasure and worldly success. For Becket to avoid his present hard fate, The First Tempter suggests to Becket to relax his severity and dignity, to be friendly, and to overlook disagreeable principles. Becket is strong in his refusal. Tempts Becket with having lasting power as chancellor again. While Becket was chancellor, the king commanded, but the chancellor (Becket) ruled. Becket asks about rebellious bishops whom he had excommunicated and barons whose privileges he had revoked. The Second Tempter is confident that the rebellious bishops and the excommunicated barons would be able to be controlled if Becket were chancellor again with the king’s power behind him. Becket again had the strength to say no. Easier to deal with than the 1^st and 2^nd. Represented a clique that wanted to overthrow the throne. The Third Tempter tells Becket that if Becket would lead them, the clique would make the power of the Church supreme – the barons and the bishops would be ruled by the Church – not the king. Becket said no. Unexpected. Showed Becket how he could have eternal glory. If Becket continues on his present course, he will become a martyr and a saint, to dwell forevermore in the presence of God. Becket’s dilemma: no matter if he acted or suffered, he would sin against his religion. Early on Christmas morning, Becket preaches a sermon on peace. Christ left us his peace, but not peace as the world thinks of it. Spiritual peace did not necessarily mean England at peace with other countries or the barons at peace with the king.