Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral: Significance of the Temptation

Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral

(Significance of the Temptation)

Q. Critically analyze the significance of the temptation offered by the Fourth Tempter in Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral

Answer: In T.S. Eliot's play Murder in the Cathedral, the Fourth Tempter is one of the four tempters who attempt to persuade Thomas Becket to compromise his moral principles and submit to King Henry II's demands. The Fourth Tempter offers Becket a different kind of temptation compared to the other tempters. Instead of appealing to Becket's pride, fear, or ambition, the Fourth Tempter offers him the temptation of worldly power and influence. This temptation is significant in the play as it highlights the tension between religious and secular power and the consequences of choosing between them.

The Fourth Tempter suggests that Becket can achieve his goals and protect the Church by working with the king rather than against him. He offers Becket the chance to serve as the king's ally and adviser, with the promise of being able to shape and direct the king's policies towards the Church's interests. The temptation of worldly power and influence appeals to Becket's sense of duty and his desire to serve the Church, but it also conflicts with his moral principles and religious beliefs.

The significance of the Fourth Tempter's temptation lies in its portrayal of the challenges faced by those in positions of power and influence. The play suggests that the pursuit of power and influence can be a slippery slope that leads to compromising one's values and beliefs. The temptation offered by the Fourth Tempter also highlights the tension between religious and secular authority, and the difficulty of reconciling the two.

Furthermore, the Fourth Tempter's temptation serves to highlight the importance of personal integrity and the courage to stand up for one's beliefs. Becket ultimately rejects the Fourth Tempter's offer, choosing to remain loyal to his religious principles even if it means sacrificing his life. This decision underscores the idea that personal integrity and the pursuit of moral ideals are more important than power or influence.

In conclusion, the temptation offered by the Fourth Tempter in Murder in the Cathedral is significant in highlighting the tension between religious and secular power and the consequences of choosing between them. The temptation also underscores the importance of personal integrity and the courage to stand up for one's beliefs, even in the face of temptation and potential danger.

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