The Four Tempters in "Murder in the Cathedral "

 

          The Four Tempters in "Murder in the Cathedral "

In T.S. Eliot's play "Murder in the Cathedral," the four tempters represent different facets of temptation that Thomas Becket must confront as he faces his impending martyrdom. Each tempter embodies a specific kind of worldly allurement, attempting to divert Becket from his spiritual path and commitment to God.

  

The First Tempter: This tempter appeals to Becket's desire for a comfortable and secure life, reminding him of the pleasures and worldly comforts he enjoyed as King Henry II's chancellor. He suggests that Becket can still have influence and power within the court, albeit by compromising his principles. This temptation represents the allure of worldly pleasures and the fear of losing one's comfortable existence.

 Breakdown of the First Tempter's approach:

Nostalgia: He evokes a sense of longing for the past, reminding Becket of the camaraderie, the power, and the material comforts he once possessed. This appeals to Becket's human desire for security and happiness.

Worldly Comforts: The tempter emphasizes the pleasures of courtly life, the banquets, the fine clothes, and the social status that Becket has renounced. He suggests that Becket could easily reclaim this life if he simply compromised his principles.

Fear of Loss: Implicit in the tempter's words is the threat of losing everything Becket once had. He hints at the precariousness of Becket's position, the potential dangers he faces, and the sacrifices he has made. This plays on Becket's fear of suffering and death.

Subtle Undermining: The tempter doesn't directly urge Becket to abandon his faith. Instead, he subtly suggests that Becket can maintain his spiritual position while still enjoying the benefits of worldly power and influence. This blurs the lines between spiritual and secular values, making the temptation more insidious.

Becket's Response:

Becket acknowledges the truth in the tempter's words, recognizing the allure of the life he once led. However, he ultimately rejects this temptation, realizing that it is a distraction from his true calling. He understands that true happiness and fulfillment lie not in worldly pleasures but in serving God's will. Becket's rejection of this temptation demonstrates his spiritual strength and his commitment to his faith, even in the face of personal sacrifice.

 

The Second Tempter: The second tempter plays on Becket's loyalty and sense of duty to the King. He argues that Becket should display his relationship with Henry and maintain peace within the kingdom. This tempter represents the temptation to compromise one's principles for the sake of political expediency and maintaining social order.

He doesn't focus on personal comfort like the First Tempter, but rather on the political consequences of Becket's stance.  He represents the temptation to compromise one's principles for the sake of political usefulness and maintaining social order.

Detailed look at the Second Tempter's tactics:

Emphasis on Duty and Order: The Second Tempter stresses the importance of maintaining peace and order in the kingdom. He argues that Becket's defiance of the King is disruptive and threatens the stability of the realm. He presents Becket's unwavering stance as selfish and potentially disastrous for the country.

Playing on Becket's Past Relationship with Henry: He reminds Becket of their former close relationship, suggesting that Becket owes Henry his loyalty and should strive to reconcile with him. This appeals to Becket's sense of personal obligation and friendship. He portrays Henry as misunderstood or misguided, implying that Becket could be the one to guide him back to reason.

Political Pragmatism: The Tempter advocates for a pragmatic approach, suggesting that compromise is necessary for the greater good. He implies that Becket's rigid adherence to principle is impractical and could lead to chaos and bloodshed. He frames compromise not as a betrayal of faith, but as a necessary political maneuver.

Subtle Threat: While not as overt as the later tempters, there's an underlying threat in the Second Tempter's words. He hints at the potential consequences of Becket's actions, suggesting that his intransigence could lead to violence and even civil war. This subtly plays on Becket's fear of the repercussions of his choices.

 Becket's Response:

Becket recognizes the validity of some of the Second Tempter's points. He understands the importance of political stability and acknowledges his past bond with the King. However, he ultimately rejects this temptation because he realizes that true loyalty to the kingdom lies in upholding God's law, even if it means challenging the King. He recognizes that true peace and order can only be built on a foundation of justice and righteousness, not on political expediency.  He sees that compromising his principles for the sake of political expediency would be a betrayal of his higher duty to God.

 

The Third Tempter: This tempter focuses on Becket's fear of death and suffering. He urges Becket to flee and save himself from the impending danger, arguing that martyrdom is a pointless sacrifice. This temptation embodies the primal instinct for self-preservation and the fear of physical pain and death.

He doesn't appeal to worldly pleasures or political concerns like the first two tempters, but rather to the instinct for self-preservation. He represents the temptation to avoid pain and embrace survival at any cost.

Detailed breakdown of the Third Tempter's approach:

Graphic Imagery of Martyrdom: The Third Tempter paints a vivid and disturbing picture of the physical suffering that Becket will endure if he chooses martyrdom. He describes the violence of the impending attack, the pain of the wounds, and the horror of death. He aims to instill terror in Becket's heart, making the prospect of martyrdom seem unbearable.

Emphasis on the Finality of Death: He stresses the finality of death, suggesting that martyrdom is a pointless sacrifice that brings only oblivion. He attempts to diminish the spiritual significance of martyrdom, portraying it as a meaningless end rather than a glorious act of faith. He tries to make Becket question the value of sacrificing his life.

Appeal to Natural Instinct: The Tempter argues that self-preservation is a natural and understandable instinct. He suggests that Becket shouldn't feel ashamed or guilty for wanting to avoid death. He frames the desire to live as a rational choice, contrasting it with the perceived irrationality of seeking martyrdom.

Suggestion of Escape: He offers Becket a way out, suggesting that he could flee and avoid the impending danger. He doesn't explicitly tell Becket to renounce his faith, but implies that escape is the only sensible option for a man who values his life. He presents flight as a pragmatic and even wise decision.

Becket's Response:

This temptation is perhaps the most difficult for Becket to overcome because it confronts him with his own mortality.  He acknowledges the very real fear of death and the natural desire to survive. However, he ultimately rejects this temptation by recognizing that true life lies not in avoiding death but in embracing God's will. He understands that his earthly life is temporary and that true fulfillment comes from dedicating himself to a higher purpose, even if it means sacrificing his physical existence.  He acknowledges the fear, but transcends it through his faith.

 

The Fourth Tempter: The fourth tempter presents the most insidious and complex temptation. He appeals to Becket's spiritual pride, suggesting that Becket's martyrdom would bring him immense glory and sainthood. This temptation represents the danger of seeking spiritual rewards for the wrong reasons, highlighting the subtle line between true devotion and personal ambition.

He doesn't appeal to worldly comforts, political expediency, or fear of death like the previous tempters. Instead, he targets Becket's deepest spiritual aspirations, suggesting that his martyrdom will bring him immense glory and sainthood.  This temptation is particularly insidious because it masks itself as a virtuous pursuit, making it difficult for Becket to recognize the underlying danger.

Detailed breakdown of the Fourth Tempter's tactics:

Focus on Spiritual Glory: The Fourth Tempter emphasizes the fame and recognition that Becket will receive if he becomes a martyr. He paints a picture of Becket's name being revered for centuries, his image enshrined in churches, and his life celebrated as an example of unwavering faith. He appeals to Becket's desire for spiritual significance and lasting legacy.

Playing on Becket's Ambition: He subtly suggests that Becket's martyrdom would be the ultimate achievement, the culmination of his spiritual journey. He implies that Becket is destined for greatness and that martyrdom is the path to achieving it. This plays on Becket's potential for spiritual ambition, the desire to be recognized as a holy and righteous man.

Twisting Spiritual Values: The Tempter cleverly twists the concept of spiritual sacrifice, suggesting that Becket should embrace martyrdom not simply as an act of obedience to God, but as a means of achieving personal spiritual exaltation. He subtly shifts the focus from God's will to Becket's own spiritual advancement. He frames martyrdom as a path to personal sainthood, rather than an act of selfless devotion.

Subtle Flattery: He uses subtle flattery, praising Becket's strength and unwavering faith. He suggests that Becket is uniquely positioned to achieve martyrdom and that his sacrifice will be a testament to his exceptional spiritual qualities. This appeals to Becket's sense of self-worth and reinforces the idea that he is destined for greatness.

Becket's Response:

This is arguably the most challenging temptation for Becket because it feeds on his deepest spiritual desires.  He recognizes the danger of seeking martyrdom for the wrong reasons, understanding that true martyrdom must be an act of pure devotion to God, free from any taint of personal ambition or desire for glory.  He sees the crucial distinction between serving God and serving one's own ego, even in a spiritual context.  Becket realizes that accepting martyrdom for the sake of personal glorification would be a profound act of spiritual pride, a sin in itself.  His rejection of this temptation demonstrates his profound humility and his unwavering commitment to God's will above all else.  He seeks not his own glory, but the glory of God.

[The fourth tempter's offer is the hardest for Becket to resist because it targets his deepest desire: to be truly holy.  The tempter suggests that becoming a martyr will make Becket famous and a saint, which sounds very appealing spiritually.  But Becket realizes that wanting to be a martyr for the glory is wrong.  A true martyr sacrifices themselves purely for God, not for personal recognition.  Becket understands the difference between serving God and just wanting to look good spiritually.  He knows that dying for personal glory is actually a form of pride, which is a sin.  By rejecting this temptation, Becket shows he's truly humble and dedicated to God's will, not his own fame. He wants to honor God, not himself.]

Becket ultimately rejects all four temptations, recognizing them as distractions from his true calling and his commitment to God's will. His rejection of these temptations demonstrates his spiritual strength and unwavering faith, leading him to embrace his fate as a martyr.