Comprehension Quiz for Murder in the Cathedral By: T.S. Eliot
1-14 Act One 15-17 Interlude 18-30 Act Two
1. What does the chorus claim brings them to Canterbury?
a. A sense of danger
b. Curiosity about the Archbishop
c. A religious pilgrimage
d. A change in the season
2. How long has the Archbishop been gone?
a. Six months
b. A decade
c. Seven years
d. Seven days
3. What season has just ended?
a. Spring
b. Fall
c. Summer
d. Winter
4. What does the messenger inform the three priests?
a. War is approaching
b. The Archbishop and the King are completely reconciled
c. The King has been assassinated
d. The Archbishop and the King are still having problems.
5. How do the priests intend to greet the Archbishop?
a. Cordially
b. With despair
c. Enraged
d. With indifference
6. What does the chorus wish for?
a. The Archbishop to return quickly to solve their problems
b. The Archbishop to be replaced
c. To leave the church
d. The Archbishop to stay away
7. How do the priests react to the Chorus’s speech?
a. They agree
b. They are angry
c. They politely remain silent
d. They throw them out of the church
8. What does Thomas do first when he arrives?
a. Relinquishes his position
b. Chides the priests for their treatment of the chorus
c. Throws out the chorus in anger
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d. Sends a letter to the King
What does the first tempter use to tempt the Archbishop?
a. Physical security
b. Carnal pleasure
c. Glory in friendship with the King
d. Political power
What does the second tempter offer?
a. Political power
b. The death of his enemies
c. Escape from his duties
d. Martyrdom
What does the third tempter offer?
a. Physical security
b. Rebellion against the King
c. Martyrdom
d. Political power
What does the fourth tempter offer?
a. Rebellion against the King
b. Carnal pleasure
c. Escape from his duties
d. Martyrdom
How many tempters were expected?
a. One
b. Two
c. Three
d. Four
How does the Archbishop respond to the fourth tempter’s offer?
a. He considers it
b. He is offended by the bribe
c. He thinks it is immoral
d. He is tempted by his desire but denies the bribe
What day does the sermon in the interlude take place?
a. Christmas Morning
b. Easter Sunday
c. Good Friday
d. Black Friday
What verse of the second chapter of Saint Luke’s gospel does the Archbishop preach?
a. Fifth
b. Fourteenth
c. First
d. Tenth
What does the Archbishop speak about in his sermon?
a. Murder
b. Martyrdom
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c. The seasons
d. Abortion
Who is claimed as the first martyr?
a. St. Stephen
b. St. John
c. St. Paul
d. St. Thomas
How many knights arrive?
a. Two
b. Three
c. Four
d. Twelve
Where do the Knight’s claim to be coming from?
a. Germany
b. Middle East
c. Spain
d. France
How do the priests treat the Knights when they first arrive?
a. With hatred
b. Politely
c. With celebration
d. Snobbily
Where do the Knights reveal the Archbishop to be from?
a. France
b. Cheapside
c. Spain
d. The Royal Family
What do the Knights accuse Thomas of?
a. Treason
b. Murder
c. Rape
d. Blasphemy
How does the Archbishop react to this accusation?
a. He throws the Knights out of Canterbury
b. He admits to everything
c. He denies the charges
d. He kills the Knights
What do the Knights attempt to do?
a. Light the cathedral on fire
b. Kidnap the Archbishop
c. Steal from the church
d. Murder the Archbishop
Who interrupts the action?
a. The Chorus
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b. The Tempters
c. The Priests
d. The King
What is it that the Archbishop claims humanity cannot bear?
a. Honesty
b. Temptation
c. Despair
d. Reality
What song is sung during the Chorus’ speech?
a. Dies Irae
b. Ave Maria
What state are the Knights in when they murder the Archbishop?
a. They’re tipsy
b. They’re enraged
c. They’re nervous
d. They’re calm
How do they justify the murder of the Archbishop?
a. It was best for the country
b. It would put the Archbishop in a better light
c. The Archbishop refused to acknowledge the King was highest authority
d. All of the above