Early British Hitory .
Thomas á Becket and the Catholic Context.
The tragedy of Thomas á Becket and his relationship with Henry II was symptomatic throughout the Europe of the day. The Church/State power struggle that plagued a back and forth match between the two institutions, finding harmony only in mere glimpses, was one of the largest sources of divine and royal troubles. If the emperor had too much power, the Pope would attempt to assert dominance. If a Pope had too much power, then the emperors would seek to depose and replace him. Central to this dilemma is the case of the English king and the Archbishop of Canterbury, but playing in the backdrop, on a much larger scale is the case of the German Emperor and the Pope. Overwhelmingly similar are the cases of Henry II and Becket compared to Barbarossa and Alexander III. .
Early Life through Chancellorship.
Thomas á Becket was born circa 1118 (some sources claim 1120) in London to a wealthy merchant, Gilbert Becket and Roesa or Matilda of Caen, of Norman roots. Becket, with this wealthy background of a father who was even sheriff for some time, was well educated at Merton Priory, and Paris. Becket became proficient in hunting and hawking, two sports in which he would later indulge consistently with Henry II, under the wing of Richer of Laigle who facilitated Becket's education at his castle of Pevensey. Upon his return to England, Becket was employed under sheriffs and learned first hand about English politics. .
When the knowledge of this young, outstanding gentleman reached the Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury, he was immediately taken into his service and household in 1142 as a clerk. He was sent to Bologna, and Auxerre to study civil and canon law and, upon returning yet again, was made Archdeacon of the See and Provost of Beverley. Becket was very loyal to the church and displayed his political tact by solving the problem of Henry's succession in such a way to satisfy the Church and the State interests simultaneously.
Thomas Becket, the movie's main character, did not know what honor was until it was too late. ... Becket said, "Honor is a private matter. ... Becket was in a struggle with this dilemma for most of the movie. ... Where is Becket's honor?" ... Honor in Becket was, without a doubt, the motif of the movie. ...
In Jean Anouilh's play, Becket, Thomas Becket is a Saxon who is the advisor to the king and the Chancellor of England. ... In Jean Anouilh's play Becket, Thomas Becket is liberated by his love of the honor of God and realizes that his devotion to God, unlike his devotion to the worldly king, brings true fulfillment in life. ... Chancellor of England is what people use to describe Becket, so really Becket has no personal honor as a man. ... Although Becket's body is rotting away in his tomb, Becket's soul is actually up in heaven according to his belief. ... If while with ...
Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (MacKaye) introduces readers to a diverse group of travelers making the annual pilgrimage to Canterbury, seeking blessings from St Thomas á Becket. ... Through the characterization of the pilgrims, Chaucer points out weaknesses of the Medieval Catholic Church. ... The disobedience of the Catholic clergy is illuminated by the disregard they show for the sacred ordination vows they once swore, before God, to uphold. ... The corruption of the Catholic Church is never more evident than in the greed and dishonesty it is drowning in. ... Chaucer&#x...
Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (MacKaye) introduces readers to a diverse group of travelers making the annual pilgrimage to Canterbury, seeking blessings from St Thomas á Becket. ... Through the characterization of the pilgrims, Chaucer points out weaknesses of the Medieval Catholic Church. ... The disobedience of the Catholic clergy is illuminated by the disregard they show for the sacred ordination vows they once swore, before God, to uphold. ... The corruption of the Catholic Church is never more evident than in the greed and dishonesty it is drowning in. ... Chaucer&#x...
In the beginning of the movie, Becket's purpose is to find honor. ... Henry reveals Becket's fate however, "the die is cast Thomas, make the best of it" (question 19). ... Thomas does this because "it is for divine service" (question 41). Henry and Becket cannot coexist in one world and one must die. Becket chose himself. ...
Staring Richard Burton as the character of Becket and Peter O'Toole as Henry II the film is a bout the lifelong friendship of Henry II and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Where at he climax the friendship is tested and ends in tragedy as Becket grows more confident and thoughtful in his position. ... The character of Becket on the other hand, displays leadership on some what other trends. To begin with, quite clearly Becket in his late position was a democratic leader. ... Becket on the other hand as Bishop, can be classified as under a new concept, the concept of "t...
By asking Becket for his love, even the usually nave King tries to penetrate through Becket's apathetic barrier. ... Although Becket finds self-purpose in simply serving God, Becket's true honor is realized when he states, "The kingdom of god must be defended like any other kingdom."" ... Becket's stirring realization reveals the pain he endures; but in order to bear honor, it is a sacrifice Becket is willing to make. ... Becket is a man true to his word. ... Becket's saga illustrates that nothing could closer to the truth. ...
Incase you forgot; I am on my way to the sacred shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury. ... Anyways, the nun's story caught my attention when I heard her say something about a little Catholic boy getting his throat slit and then dumped into a pool of excrement. ...
