Nonetheless, Becket remains completely loyal to the king; however, since he is obliged to serve the man who essentially oppresses his people, he hides behind a fazade. Becket's inability to reveal his true character not only plagues his own worries, but also is realized by others. The wise Archbishop notices Becket's nature is elusive and detached, "as if seeking his real self- (Anouilh 15). By asking Becket for his love, even the usually nave King tries to penetrate through Becket's apathetic barrier. Since Becket's life lacks any real ordering principle, he feels he is "obliged to improvise his honor- (Anouilh 36). It is interesting to note that perhaps Becket speaks in the third person, as opposed to the assured "I- because he lacks self-realization and any meaningful substance in his life. Becket feels he achieves the bare minimum in terms of honor while serving the King. Becket's internal struggle, so apparent to others, intensifies "this man who "adores honor- (Anouilh 5) "is tormented by the prospect that he will never discover his genuine self, wondering, "Where is Becket's honor?- (Anouilh 36). Becket cannot live his life anymore as an entity void of essence; his quest for self-recognition will soon take a dramatic turn.
A great transformation occurs in Becket when he finally finds true honor in his "life's work- (Anouilh 94) defending God. After being forced by the King to accept the position of Archbishop, the resentful Becket realizes he "could not serve both God and [the king]- (Anouilh 61). True to his words, Becket, who once addressed the King as his "Lord-, (Anouilh 60) now serves a different Lord: God. Becket's decision to break permanently from his former friend demonstrates the willpower he possesses, to part from a life of comfort and venture into a different world. Yet Becket has no regrets; up until serving God, he has "never enjoyed [himself] so much in [his] whole life- (Anouilh 63).
Becket said, "Honor is a private matter. ... "Where honor should be, there is only a void," said Becket to Gwendolyn. ... Becket was in a struggle with this dilemma for most of the movie. ... Where is Becket's honor?" ... Honor in Becket was, without a doubt, the motif of the movie. ...
In Jean Anouilh's play, Becket, Thomas Becket is a Saxon who is the advisor to the king and the Chancellor of England. ... Chancellor of England is what people use to describe Becket, so really Becket has no personal honor as a man. ... Becket does not take the job of Archbishop lightly. ... Although Becket's body is rotting away in his tomb, Becket's soul is actually up in heaven according to his belief. ... If while with the king, Becket wonders "where is Becket's honor" (37), then on the opposite side, with God, Becket must have his honor. ...
Early British Hitory Thomas á Becket and the Catholic Context The tragedy of Thomas á Becket and his relationship with Henry II was symptomatic throughout the Europe of the day. ... Early Life through Chancellorship Thomas á Becket was born circa 1118 (some sources claim 1120) in London to a wealthy merchant, Gilbert Becket and Roesa or Matilda of Caen, of Norman roots. ... Becket became proficient in hunting and hawking, two sports in which he would later indulge consistently with Henry II, under the wing of Richer of Laigle who fac...
Francis Fergusson's tragic theory can be applied to the movie Becket by Jean Anouilh. ... In the beginning of the movie, Becket's purpose is to find honor. ... Henry and Becket cannot coexist in one world and one must die. Becket chose himself. Through death and becoming a saint only does Becket finds his honor. ...
Even though the man receives respect from people around him andis inaplace of exbit these characteristics are King Henry II in Becket by Jean Anouilh and Atticus in To Kill a Mocking Bird by Lee Harper. In Becket, King Henry II is the most powerful man in England but he feels lonely. ... Both Becket and To Kill a Mocking Bird, demonstrate what Ibsen said in his quote. ...
The statement foreshadows Becket's death because the way that Becket interprets honor is by living. ... Becket answering to the King when the King asks him how he combines, honor and collaboration foreshadows Becket's death. Becket answers ."... The king never thought that Becket would turn on him. ... Becket lives by God, and honor God. ...
Staring Richard Burton as the character of Becket and Peter O'Toole as Henry II the film is a bout the lifelong friendship of Henry II and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Where at he climax the friendship is tested and ends in tragedy as Becket grows more confident and thoughtful in his position. ... The character of Becket on the other hand, displays leadership on some what other trends. To begin with, quite clearly Becket in his late position was a democratic leader. ... Becket on the other hand as Bishop, can be classified as under a new concept, the concept of "t...
In the movie Becket, it is obvious that there is a conflict between church and state. ... The conflict between church and state in Becket is blatantly obvious. ... Becket wanted the church and its people to be only subject to God's representative on earth, the Pope. ...
