Murder in the Cathedral is a verse drama by T.S. Eliot that portrays the final days of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was assassinated and martyred in 1170. Written in 1935 for the Canterbury Festival, the play explores themes of faith, power, martyrdom, and the conflict between church and state. Many stage performances of the play have been produced, and Murder in the Cathedral has also been adapted for television, film, and opera. It is considered to be Eliot’s most successful play.

This guide refers to the 1935 Harcourt, Brace and Company edition of the play.

Plot Summary

The play opens in December 1170, after Archbishop Thomas Becket has returned to England following seven years of exile in France. Part 1 takes place in the Canterbury Cathedral, where the mood is one of foreboding and tension. A chorus of women from Canterbury sets the tone by expressing their anxiety and fear over the events that are about to unfold. The women represent the common people, who have no direct control over the high political and religious stakes but sense that a catastrophe is imminent. They are acutely aware of the dangerous political environment and the impending death of a significant figure, which they fear will have profound repercussions on their lives.

The chorus laments the uncertainty of life, reflecting a collective consciousness that perceives Thomas Becket’s return as a pivotal moment. Though they speak in general terms, their words evoke the weight of destiny and the inevitability of tragedy. As the chorus voices its anxieties, several characters arrive in Canterbury to meet with Becket. The priests of Canterbury, who are loyal to him, express their worry for his safety. They know that Becket’s return will likely rekindle his conflict with King Henry II.

The priests see Becket’s fate as almost inevitable, recognizing that his refusal to compromise will lead to a deadly confrontation. Becket previously opposed King Henry's attempt to consolidate power over the Church; the king imposed the Constitutions of Clarendon, which aimed to reduce clerical privileges and bring clerics under royal jurisdiction. This conflict drove Becket into exile, and now, his return threatens to escalate tensions once again.

As Becket arrives, he is confronted by four tempters, each of whom tries to sway him from his path of spiritual integrity. The tempters personify different forms of temptation, and they each offer Becket an alternative to martyrdom. They tailor their specific offers based on a different aspect of his personality to sway him from his apparently preordained fate; their role echoes the devil’s temptation of Jesus Christ in the Bible.

The first tempter appeals to Becket’s past friendship with the king, suggesting that he should reconcile with Henry and regain his former political power. The tempter offers Becket a path of comfort and security, stating that he can avoid further conflict by maintaining loyalty to the crown.

The second tempter suggests that Becket seek political power for himself and reminds him of his former role as Chancellor. This tempter appeals to Becket’s ambition, offering him the chance to wield both spiritual and political authority if he is willing to compromise his principles.

The third tempter represents a faction of rebellious barons who oppose the king. He proposes an alliance between Becket and these barons to overthrow Henry’s rule. This temptation offers Becket the opportunity to challenge royal power directly—but through secular means rather than through spiritual leadership.

The fourth tempter is the most subtle and dangerous, as he tempts Becket with the idea of martyrdom itself. He encourages Becket to embrace martyrdom for the sake of personal glory so that he will be remembered forever as a saint and hero. This temptation challenges Becket’s motivations, suggesting that his desire for martyrdom might stem from pride and the pursuit of fame rather than from a pure devotion to God. Becket recognizes the devastatingly true and personal nature of this particular temptation, which makes his fate all the more difficult to comprehend.

Becket ultimately rejects all the tempters, recognizing that even the desire for martyrdom can be a form of selfishness if it is pursued for the wrong reasons. His spiritual journey is not motivated by a search for power or glory, but by a desire to submit to God’s will. Becket understands that true martyrdom is an act of humility and obedience, not a means to enable personal gain.

The second part of the play takes place in the cathedral on December 29, 1170: the day of Becket’s death. The chorus again expresses fear and helplessness as the political forces move toward a tragic resolution. The chorus also laments the human condition, as all people find themselves caught between spiritual aspiration and worldly suffering.

As the tension mounts, the four knights arrive, seeking Becket. They are representatives of King Henry II, who is enraged by Becket’s continued defiance of royal authority. The knights confront Becket in the cathedral and accuse him of treason, justifying their actions by condemning Becket’s disobedience to the king. They claim that Becket has overstepped his religious authority by opposing royal law and excommunicating bishops loyal to the king. They issue a list of demands that Becket must recognize.

In a pivotal moment, the knights offer Becket the chance to flee, effectively allowing him to save his life if he renounces his defiance. However, Becket stands firm, refusing to compromise his spiritual principles. He calmly accepts his fate, declaring that he is ready to die for the Church and for God’s will. He accepts his fate as a martyr in the name of Jesus Christ.

The knights, angered by Becket’s steadfastness, brutally murder him at the altar: a sacrilegious act. The martyrdom is presented as both a political assassination and a profound spiritual sacrifice. Becket’s death transforms him from a political figure into a martyr and a saint: someone who dies not for worldly power but for eternal truth.

After the murder, the chorus reflects on the meaning of Becket’s martyrdom, expressing grief and awe and realizing that his sacrifice has forever changed the spiritual landscape of their lives. The chorus acknowledges that although Becket’s death is a personal tragedy, it also carries a deeper significance for the entire Christian community.

Following the murder, the four knights address the audience directly, breaking the fourth wall. They attempt to justify their actions, presenting themselves as loyal servants of the king who were forced to act out of necessity. Each comes forth with their own particular defense of their actions and their own interpretation of history. At the end of the play, the chorus returns to offer praise to God for turning the cathedral into a holy site of martyrdom. They pray to God for mercy and ask Becket to pray for them.