What
part is played by the Tempters in Murder in the Cathedral?
What
was the role of the four tempters in the play Murder in the Cathedral by T.S.
Eliot? How did they tempt the archbishop of Canterbury?
What do the four tempters represent in Murder in the
Cathedral?
The four temptations faced by Thomas Becket,
the Archbishop of Canterbury, are variations on the three temptations Jesus
faced when Satan tempted him in the desert, plus a fourth. As the play opens,
Becket knows he has to follow his conscience in facing down the demands of
Henry II and knows he will probably be killed for opposing the king. It would
be easy and completely ordinary for Becket to rationalize himself out of the
situation.
The
first tempter offers Becket a
variation of "turn these stones into bread." Becket has the power
simply to retreat into a materially secure situation and take care of himself
and his own needs. It represents
the temptation to indulge the senses in parties, entertainment, and light
pursuits. He offers Thomas the prospect of living the social life he had
enjoyed in his youth with the king. Laughter, "singing at nightfall"
and enjoying "wit, wine, and wisdom." Giving into this wouldn't just
be pleasurable, it would be safe. Being "easy" -- offering easy
companionship to other pleasure-seekers -- would prevent Thomas from coming
into conflict with the king. If Thomas refuses to take this path
"…[Y]our
goose may be cooked and eaten to the bone."
The
second tempter offers a variation on
Satan's offer to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he will bow down
and worship him. In this case, Becket is tempted to work with the king,
rationalizing it as the best way to create a stable state that will help the
poor and bring justice to the land. He is tempted to try to use the power of
the "devil," in this case Henry II, to do good. The Second Tempter represents
the temptation to seek worldly, secular power and the "life lasting"
glory that may grow from it:...............................................................................................................................
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