Murder in the Cathedral is a play by T.S. Eliot about the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170 AD. The play takes place in Canterbury Cathedral, where, like the chorus in a Greek tragedy, a chorus provides commentary about the action in the play. Becket learns of his imminent martyrdom and is tempted by various rewards as well as the glory of martyrdom itself. In the end, Becket is killed by knights sent by the king, who believes that he has been disloyal.
Until someone has to make a difficult decision he cannot understand the feeling of being torn asunder by two different options In T S Elliots Murder in the Cathedral Thomas Becket is being pulled by two compelling choices either reconciling with King Henry or dying a martyr both of which mask his larger concern about having the right motives when he makes a decision Thomass first temptation is to mend his friendship with Henry If he does this Thomas will regain the Chancellorship that he resign