Murder in the Cathedral
Murder in the Cathedral
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1935
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Murder in the Cathedral by T. S. Eliot dramatizes the conflict between St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, and King Henry II of England. Set in 1170, the play explores themes of power, faith, and resistance to authoritarianism. It depicts Becket's moral struggle, resisting various temptations, and his eventual martyrdom. The narrative reflects the political tensions of the 1930s with a chorus that mirrors Greek drama traditions.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Murder in the Cathedral by T. S. Eliot has been praised for its poetic language and deep philosophical themes. Critics laud Eliot's ability to blend historical drama with spiritual introspection. However, some find the play's abstract approach and dense theological content challenging. Overall, it's celebrated for its rich symbolism and thought-provoking narrative.
Who Should Read Murder in the Cathedral?
Readers who enjoy historical drama, poetic plays, and spiritual themes will find Murder in the Cathedral captivating. Comparable to Shakespeare's Macbeth and Sophocles' Antigone, it appeals to those interested in moral dilemmas, martyrdom, and power struggles, set against a rich backdrop of 12th-century England.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
We’re just getting started.
Add this title to our requested Study Guides list!
Continue your reading experience
SuperSummary Plot Summaries provide a quick, full synopsis of a text. But SuperSummary Study Guides — available only to subscribers — provide so much more!
Join now to access our Study Guides library, which offers chapter-by-chapter summaries and comprehensive analysis on more than 5,000 literary works from novels to nonfiction to poetry.
SubscribeSee for yourself. Check out our sample guides:
We’re just getting started.
Add this title to our requested Study Guides list!
Continue your reading experience
SuperSummary Plot Summaries provide a quick, full synopsis of a text. But SuperSummary Study Guides — available only to subscribers — provide so much more!
Join now to access our Study Guides library, which offers chapter-by-chapter summaries and comprehensive analysis on more than 5,000 literary works from novels to nonfiction to poetry.
SubscribeSee for yourself. Check out our sample guides:
We’re just getting started.
Add this title to our requested Study Guides list!
A SuperSummary Plot Summary provides a quick, full synopsis of a text.
A SuperSummary Study Guide — a modern alternative to Sparknotes & CliffsNotes — provides so much more, including chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and important quotes.
See the difference for yourself. Check out this sample Study Guide: