Becket

What might have been Anouilh’s reasons for bookending the play with the scenes of the King’s flogging and presenting the main action as flashback? Is this an effective way to tell the story, in your view?

On Page 4, Becket tells the King that he performs the functions of his valet because he likes helping him. Do you think this statement is sincere, or are Becket’s actions self-serving? Cite passages from the text to support your view.

Becket saves his sister and the peasant’s daughter from rape yet gives his girlfriend Gwendolen up to the King. What might be the reason for this inconsistency?