Murder in the Cathedral : ancient theme in modern garb

Abstract EN

Murder in the Cathedral is the first complete play written by T.

S.

Eliot which deals with an ancient and medieval theme and a plot of the twelfth century.

The story was written by poet-dramatists as Tennyson with his play named Becket and Christopher Fry who wrote Curtmantle, both wrote the story of Thomas Becket but such plays were not successful in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries because the authors used a language too far remote from their own time. This study attempts to show the challenges faced T.

S. Eliot in writing an ancient anecdote with a modern and contemporary language for contemporary people.

The research is an analytical and critical attempt that tries to display, to what extent, Eliot thrived in writing the play in a language close to the language of his own people.

It comprises an introduction shedding light on the historical background then is followed by critical and analytical views on the events of the play presenting first the events before the action.

The process shifts to the next part illustrating the action, focusing on the use of language of the play, with special focus on the structure and style.