Murder in the Cathedral
Critique • Text
First editionFirst performance
1935, Canterbury, England
Literature form
Play
Genres
Tragedy
Writing language
English
Author's country
England
Length
Two acts plus interlude, approx. 16,000 words
Notable lines
First line
Here let us stand, close by the cathedral.
Passages
The last temptation is the greatest treason:
To do the right deed for the wrong reason.
...in time results of many deeds are blended
So good and evil in the end become confounded.
The church shall be open, even to our enemies
We are not here to triumph by fighting, by stratagem, or by resistance,
Not to fight with beasts as men. We have fought the beast
And have conquered. We have only to conquer
Now, by suffering. This is the easier victory
Last line
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Blessed Thomas, pray for us.
Critique • Text
