Murder in the Cathedral

Thomas Becket is the doomed protagonist of Murder in the Cathedral. Although the play only covers a brief portion of the real Thomas Becket’s life, the subtext of the play explores the past, present, and future of his life in a way that thoughtfully analyzes the long-term influence and complexity of this historical figure. The past version of Becket does not appear in the play, though he is referenced in passing. Whether through the memories of the tempters or the accusations of the knights, the audience becomes acutely aware that the past version of Becket was nowhere near as pious as the man on the stage. Indeed, the past version of Becket was secular and earthly enough to be close friends with the very king who has now become his enemy. Originally, King Henry II trusted Becket enough to make him the Chancellor: one of the most powerful secular positions in England. As such, the past version of Becket is an earthly, secular figure. Now, however, that secular version has vanished, for when Becket became the Chancellor, he renounced the importance of earthly powers and championed the primacy of religious power, transforming into the pious man who now stands before the audience.