| Murder in the Cathedral | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 12 reviews)
Sales Rank: 48240
Category: Book
Author: T. S. Eliot
Publisher: Harvest Books
Studio: Harvest Books
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
Label: Harvest Books
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 96
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4
ISBN: 0156632772
Dewey Decimal Number: 822.912
EAN: 9780156632775
ASIN: 0156632772
Publication Date: March 18, 1964
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
A dramatization in verse of the murder of Thomas Becket at Canterbury. ?The theatre as well as the church is enriched by this poetic play of grave beauty and momentous decision? (New York Times). ?Within its limits the play is a masterpiece.... Mr. Eliot has written no better poem than this and none which seems simpler? (Mark Van Doren, The Nation).
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
The Murder of Thomas Becket at Canterbury September 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"Murder in the Cathedral" is T.S. Eliot's dramatization of the murder of Thomas Becket. Because the tale is told in verse, historical accuracy is sacrificed. While some may appreciate this element, I would prefered the story to be closer to reality. Though the chorus may be a fabulous part of the dramatization in person, the flow of the story seems to ebb in a negative stream in these extended passages while reading.
The story of Thomas Becket is quite inspiring, yet I feel I would be misleading reviewers by saying it is here. The basic plot is accurate. King Henry II believes that Thomas Becket's meddlesome ways are undermining the king's rule. The poetic lines show a writer in his element. Though I feel the story was compromised in the process.
 Haunting! March 5, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
My high school put on the play, "Murder in the Cathedral" for their fall drama in 1969. In retrospect, my guess is that few of the players and still fewer of the audience had any real idea as to the momentous events that the play dramatized. Yet, the language has lingered with me from that day to this, now close on forty years later:
"...the stubborn King, and the French King, in ceaseless intrigue, combination...
....meetings unending, and endless, at some place or the other in France...
....you will be left to your own devices, which must be paid for at higher prices...
....It does go against the grain a bit to kill an Archbishop, especially when one has been brought up in a strong Church tradition..."
The play, in fact, dramatized the struggle between Saint Thomas A' Becket and Henry II over the rights of Church and State. Truly, it was a classic confrontation between what ultimately became, under the Tudors, the power of the state relative to the rights of Holy Church. Now, as a high school junior, I had wanted, of course to play Thomas. I wound up as the lowly Second Priest. But, knowing now what I did not know then, I understand that I could not have done the Archbishop's character justice, as I was then a Protestant, at least nominally. In fact, the reasoning of Thomas, particularly with regard to the Temptors, was classic Catholicism.
The play is wonderfully rich in language and meaning. It can be read in one long sitting. And reading it is well worth the time and effort. Pick up this little book, and be richly blessed by the experience.
"Blood for blood." August 19, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The murder and subsequent martyrdom of Thomas Becket is always a chilling tale and one that poet T.S. Eliot does a masterful job in relating. "Murder in the Cathedral" is a look at Becket's return from France, after his fallout with King Henry II, and his murder by knights of the King. The play may be a difficult read for those unfamiliar with Becket's life, and those unused to Eliot's poetically styled play. Yet it is an intriguing look at one of the church's martyrs, told by a man who came to faith later in his life.
The first act of the play centers around Thomas Becket's return from France. He had fled there for a period of years in an effort to avoid the King, and their 'difference of opinion', to put it simply. Becket was first appointed Chancellor by Henry II, and then made Archbishop. King Henry II hoped that by granting Becket both titles he would have more control over the church; but Becket saw things differently, and roused the king's anger when he excommunicated several bishops. Throughout the first act, Becket is set upon by four temptors who reveal his fate to him, serving as a catalyst for readers to learn some of Becket's background and to know that he wasn't purely without fault.
The second act moves at a much faster pace than the previous, with the king's knights denouncing Thomas and trying to persuade him to reverse his decision. When Becket refuses, the knights return and kill Thomas at the altar of the church, a death that he gladly accepts as a martyr for his Lord. The most intriguing part of the play is when, after the brutal murder is completed, the knights turn to the audience and explain their reasons for killing Becket and why it was the right thing to do in an effort to preserve England. "Murder in the Cathedral" is a play that will make readers want to examine the events surrounding Becket's death, and leave them wondering if all those explanations at the end might be right after all.
Thomas Beckett as martyr philosopher; Shakespearean genius October 16, 2004
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
The audiobook version of "Murder in the Cathedral" (with Robert Donat playing Thomas Beckett) is a surprising delight, especially for those who love rich language and philosophical musings.
Centered around the age-old story of how Thomas Beckett, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered by knights for defying the king's authority, the play explores a variety of themes: church vs. state, the quest for power, the pursuit of pleasure, the heroism or vanity of martyrs, and the search for life's meaning in the face of death and the "void".
The performances of the actors in this audiobook are superb, especially that of Robert Donat. Hearing his deep resonating voice, you truly feel the charismatic power of the archbishop and former chancellor to the king.
The performance alternates between straight dialogue, poetry, and the Gregorian style chanting of monks. While the poetry and chanting is tedious in parts, it at least breaks up the dialogue into digestable chunks and moves the plot along.
Readers shouldn't be put off by the medieval theme of this piece. The substance of the play is as modern and relevant as any play you'll find. The plot contains a novel twist as well.
With its many poetic and philosophical flourishes, there's more than a trace of Shakespeare in this work. And here's a little known fact: another T.S. Eliot work, "The Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats", was the inspiration for Cats, the longest running Broadway musical.
So push the rewind for me. Time to visit that bloody cathedral again.
 Written by a dilettante. September 29, 2004
4 out of 29 found this review helpful
"Murder in the Cathedral" is more of a coffee house production than a dramatic classical play. Since I do not care for poetry, or Shakespeare, I knew I was jumping headfirst into a dead-end. Still, I did not expect to be bored out of my gored. T. S. Eliot was attempting to use the genre "poetic drama" to his benefit, but instead conjured up an illiterate form of speaking. I disliked the play 'A Man for All Seasons,' (involves the death of Thomas Moore) but at least that play can be coherently understood, and actually teaches something. I do not recommend.
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