T. S. ELIOT - THE MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL

One of the best known figures of the English literature of the 20th century was Thomas Stearns Eliot (1888-1965) who was born in America but spent most of his life in England. Eliot was born into a prominent family in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied at Harvard and later he lived in Paris, studying at the Sorbonne.

His most successful play is Murder in the Cathedral. The play was performed at Canterbury Cathedral. The plot of the drama describes the martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket. Thomas was a normal young man-stormy, proud, selfish and arrogant. But in later life became one of the most pious Archbishops of the 12^th century. Thomas`s greatest friend was Henry Anjou Plantagenet, who was later to become King Henry II of England. When Henry became king at the age of 21, Becket became his Chancellor. They both worked to bring law. They were friends and they spent their free time together (they hunted together).

Archbishops of Canterbury died, Henry saw his chance again that Church by promoting his best friend Thomas to the new Archbishops. King Henry and Becket remained good friends until they started arguing over clerical privilege. Thomas spent some years in exile.

When he came back their relationships (between Thomas and Henry) completely changed. King became so furious and sent four knights to the Cathedral. Thomas closed the door and barred it. He cried in a loud clear voice “The Church of God must not be made a fortress.” He reopened the door and stood beyond the central pillar. Knights came in. A voice cried: “Where is Thomas Becket?” It seems that the knights did not at first intend to kill Becket, but as he stood firm after the first blow, the four attacked and butchered him.

After Becket`s death, people were talking of the miracles that happened, and they went to pray to Canterbury. For almost four hundred years St. Thomas Becket was regarded as England`s greatest saint.