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Murder in the Cathedral

Murder in the Cathedral

Author: T. S. Eliot

First Performance: 1935, Canterbury

Published: 1935

Genre: Drama in 2 acts and an interlude; free verse and prose

Setting: Archbishop's Hall and Cathedral, Canterbury, Dec. 1170

Cast: 13m, chorus (f), extras

On 2 December 1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket is returning from seven years of exile in France after quarrelling with his former friend Henry II. The Chorus of Canterbury women have been drawn towards the Cathedral by some premonition of disaster. A messenger announcing the triumphant approach of Thomas warns three priests that Thomas is still not reconciled to his King. The Chorus, fearing the upheaval Thomas's return may bring, prays that he may return to France. Thomas arrives and predicts his own demise: ‘End will be simple, sudden, God-given.’ Thomas is...

[The entire page is 531 words long]

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