Murder in the Cathedral
Thomas Stearns Eliot was born in September 26th 1888. A poet, playwright and a literary critic, TS Eliot became a man that paved the way for the advancement of Anglo-American literature. According to most people he became the prime leader of the modernist movement in the field of Literature as his poetry and drama revolutionized the genres, as did his critical analysis of different forms of literature. His revitalizing work finally awarded him the Noble Peace Prize of Literature in 1948.‘Murder in the Cathedral’ is TS Eliot’s version of the murder of Thomas Beckett by 4 Royal Knights when they overheard the king wishing that the Archbishop (Thomas Beckett) would be taken care of. Despite the lack of importance the King put into these words, the knights proceeded to fulfill his wish and murdered the bishop. TS Eliot decided to make the drama more psychological, as he was deeply engrossed in the ever increasing secular world. Being highly religious, he proceeded in including a moving message in the play about martyrdom and power; the might that was shared between the crown and the church. Being a literature modernist, TS Eliot had not forgone a sense of unorthodox workings in his play. His play challenges contemporary
TS Eliot consistently highlights religion in the secular 1930’s world; his play showing all the varying acts of cruelty destruction a secular world brings. The Ancient Greek chorus illustrates the hidden pains of the peasant population and the thought of death existed in their minds even at the end of the play as they rejoiced. They scream their woes because they live in King Richard’s reign of terror, a reign without the power of the church (because Henry wanted to denounce the clergy). Beckett is the inspiration, hope and power of the people while the king of the ‘faithless’ state, the evil antagonist. This idea that Beckett is a bringer of hope echoes throughout TS Eliot’s work where the theme of salvation is prominent. Work such as the “Four Quartets” and “Family Reunion” shows the horror of a secular society and implies that salvation via god is the best way possible, especially in times of depression and political tension. “Humorless and static, it seems a queer choice”
Some topics in this essay:
TS Eliot’s,
TS Eliot,
Prize Literature,
Prosecutor Meanwhile,
Thomas Beckett,
Szerelem’ Love,
Clinton Impeachment,
Archbishop Thomas,
World War,
King Richard’s,
‘murder cathedral’,
ts eliot,
“murder cathedral”,
thomas beckett,
ts eliot’s,
peace prize literature,
peace prize,
prize literature,
noble peace,
themes comedy,
world war,
noble peace prize,
themes comedy romance,
murder thomas beckett,
based themes comedy,
Join now to see the rest of the essay!
Approximate Word count = 1349
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
More Essays on Murder in the Cathedral
Professional Papers: |
CUSTOMER SERVICES
|
|
Saved Papers
You haven't saved any papers.
|
Example Essays Home
