Murder in the Cathedral

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Conflict of Murder in the Cathedral: An Element that Influences the Play In the play “Murder in the Cathedral” by T.S. Elliot, a central conflict exists that shapes and forms the way the play’s plot unfolds. The conflict within is the conflict of man vs. man, and is explicitly denoted in the play as the characters interact with one another. As these interactions develop within the play, one can aptly ascertain the major conflict as being man vs. man. Conflict can be seen in some of the early stages of the play. This conflict leads to some of the outcomes in the finale of the play. The three priests haven’t seen their lord Thomas a Becket in seven years. They seem to wonder if he has successfully reunited with the king of England. Thereafter, as messenger arrives and claims that the situation has “peace, but not the kiss of peace” and a “patched up affair” (Eliot 16). This still shows some of the conflict still not being quite fully resolved between the archbishop and the king. This also foreshadows some major conflict that occurs later on in the play. Seeing still not eye-to-eye, the messenger still states that it is not a happy and prognostic relationship. With the departure of the messenger, the somewhat quarrelsome chorus steps in while the priest calls them “foolish, immodest and babbling women” (Eliot 21). This minor conflict shows that the priest doesn’t agree with the chorus’ ways. Moreover it also displays the priest’s loyalty to the Archbishop as the chorus seems to repel Becket. As Becket enters into the play, the conflict of man vs. man continues to develop towards the outcome of the play. When Becket comes into the plot of the play, one of the tempters starts trying to persuade him to leave this area because the king might still be angry with him. This conflict is shown is this quote: “Take a friend’s advice. Leave well alone, or your goose may be
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