Becket Act I Study Guide

Becket Act I Study Guide

1. What is the significance of the forks? Why are they mentioned?

1. What (historically inaccurate) nationality does Anouilh give to Becket? Why does the playwright choose this (think about Henry’s nationality)?
   
2. What government position does Henry give to Becket in Act I, and what important item goes with that title?
   
3. What has Becket done in his life that would make it unlikely for him to become a Bishop? (2 things)

1. In Act One, Henry says “All wars are holy wars, Bishop. I defy you to find a serious belligerent who doesn’t have Heaven on his side, in theory.” What does this mean?

1. What is the major problem between Henry and the Archbishop, in Act I?
   
2. What is Becket’s metaphor about the monarchy in this Act?
   
3. What is the only way the church can retaliate against the nobility?

1. Throughout this act, we are introduced to two main struggles. What are they?

______vs. ______

______vs. ______

1. Describe the scene where Beckett and the king take shelter in a peasants house (be detailed!). How is this scene representative of attitudes in the Middle Ages?

1. According to the song, who were Becket’s parents?

1. What are the circumstances of Gwendolen’s death?

ACT II Study Guide

1. Why do the barons distrust Becket?

1. What does Becket compare governing to?
   

1. What treasonous act is suspected of the young monk?

1. How does Becket save him?

1. What is the “good” news from William of Corbeil?

1. How does this news work for Henry’s advantage?

1. As a result of this news, what does Henry decide to do?

1. What is Becket’s initial response to Henry’s suggestion, and how does this change?

1. What is Becket doing, at the end of Act II?

1. How do the ideas of ambition and honor come into conflict, in Becket’s character?

ACT III Study Guide

1. How has Becket changed since becoming Archbishop?
2. Why does Queen Eleanor (young Queen) resent Becket?
3. What is in the package from the monk, and why has Becket sent it?
4. What is Henry’s metaphor for friendship?
5. Who does the king visit (name and title) and why does he visit him?
6. Explain the circumstances surrounding this quote: “I can see your game…You mean to cost me a lot of money. But I’m rich-thanks to Becket, who has succeeded in making you pay the Absentee tax. And it seems to me eminently ethical that a part of the Church’s gold should find its way, via you, back to the Church. Besides, if we want to keep this on a moral basis, Holy Bishop, you can tell yourself that as the greatness of the Church and that of the State are closely linked, in serving me, you will in the long run be working for the consolidation of the Catholic faith.
7. Who is the young monk Becket takes as his assistant?
8. Why has Becket excommunicated William of Aynsford, Gilbert of Clare and Robert DeVere?
9. What crime is Becket accused of committing against the church?
10. Describe how Becket escapes arrest.
11. Why does Henry still admire/love Becket, even after all Becket has done?
12. What does King Louis of France agree to give Becket? Why? On what conditions?
13. According to the Pope, what does Becket claim about the election of Clarendon?
14. What is the Pope and the Cardinal’s plan? Why do they come up with this plan?
15. What is the tone, in the scene between the Pope and the Cardinal? Where do they send Becket?
16. At the end of the scene, what does Becket decide?

ACT IV Study Guide

1. What does King Louis say is “a very cumbersome thing”?

1. Why is Becket returning to England?

1. In their last scene together, what tragic flaw does Henry reveal about himself? (hint: hawks, horses, family)

1. Explain the following quotes. Why has Becket gone against the king?

King: “Why are you calling me your prince…?”

Becket: (Gently) “Because you have remained my prince.

1. According to Henry, what does a Crusade cover up?

1. Becket says he is no longer like himself. What does he say has changed him?

1. Henry has a list of twelve proposals and a personal request. Which 4 of these does Becket refuse to concede to?

1. Where does Henry send the Queen Mother and his wife, in his rage?

1. According to the Barons, how did the people respond when Becket landed at Sandwich?

1. What does the young monk mean here: “Just a grain of sand in the machine”?

1. What does Henry do, to punish himself for Becket’s murder?
   

1. Whose army is rebelling against the King’s army, as the play ends? Why?

1. Do you think the king really wanted Becket killed? Defend your answer with a quote from the text.