Murder in the Cathedral
About this book
A dramatization in free verse and with features derived from ancient and medieval theatre of the killing of Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury under King Henry II. Eliot used the device of a chorus, an ancient Greek invention, to express certain concerns and observations, and the killers take their turn to justify their action. When I read this play as a grammar school student in England, I was struck by the way the violence echoed the rise of fascism in Europe when the play was being written. My English master was somewhat mocking in class regarding my views, but later as a college student I read Eliot's own words confirming my experience.
Reader Profile
3.7/5 · 12920 readers · 96 pages · ≈ 1 h 47 m · Challenging
How long does it take to read Murder in the Cathedral?
About ≈ 1 h 47 m — 96 pages, assuming roughly 250 words per page at 225 words per minute.
How many pages is Murder in the Cathedral?
96 pages in its most-read edition.
What genre is Murder in the Cathedral?
It sits on the Drama, History, Fiction shelves.
Is Murder in the Cathedral in the public domain?
No — it is still under copyright.
Who are the main characters in Murder in the Cathedral?
The main characters include Thomas à Becket, Saint (1118?-1170).
Where does Murder in the Cathedral take place?
It is set in Canterbury (England), Great Britain during Henry II, 1154-1189.
Who wrote Murder in the Cathedral?
T. S. Eliot.