Posted by elyse on April 17, 19103 at 04:32:05:

In Reply to: Re: I need help on Murder in the Cathedral.... posted by kindrhino1 on November 08, 19101 at 09:34:25:

: : I was wondering if anyone had information on murder in the cathedral by T.S. Eliot. I need to know why Thomas Becket is or is not a true Martyr. A Martyr is someone who had lost his will in the will of god. if you could help me please send me info asap! thank you!!!

: -- Depends who you ask as to whether Becket was a true martyr. As Eliot saw it in Murder, I think the answer lies in 2 key spots: his Christmas sermon, and the final Chorus section. In the sermon, he alludes to what you define as a martyr: "It is never the design of man; for the true martyr is he who has become the instrument of God, who has lost his will in the will of God, and who no longer desires anything for himself, not even the glory of being a martyr. So thus as on earth the Church mourns and rejoices at once, in a fashion that the world cannot understand . . ." (p. 49-50).
: This sets up the final choral speech, which is to be spoken over a Te Deum (Hymn of Praise to God). The Chorus, who know more than anyone else what's going on (especially at this point), experience salvation and a relief in Thomas's death that certainly was absent from their other speeches in the play. They have a saviour to whom they can appeal to their One Saviour; where they thought that if he "destroyed" himself, they "would be destroyed," now they praise their existence, the world, the Church, and ask Becket to pray for them.
: I really believe, in the last ysis, Eliot sees Becket as a true martyr.
: I just discovered this site. This info. may be irrelevant to you now, but still -- I thought you might find it interesting. We open the show tonight; I directed the Chorus.

: Peace.

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