T.S. Eliot : Selected Plays

T.S. Eliot: Selected Plays | Murder in the Cathedral & More

Introduction

T.S. Eliot: Selected Plays brings together three major works by one of the most influential literary figures of the twentieth century: Murder in the Cathedral, The Family Reunion, and The Cocktail Party. Combining poetic language with theatre, philosophy, spirituality, and psychological drama, this collection offers a valuable introduction to Eliot's work as a playwright.

About This Book

Murder in the Cathedral (1935) dramatizes the final days and assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket. Through verse, chorus, and moral conflict, Eliot explores faith, sacrifice, temptation, political authority, and the meaning of martyrdom.

The Family Reunion (1939) draws on elements of Greek tragedy and Christian ideas of redemption. Its troubled central character is haunted by guilt and psychological conflict, while the play examines family relationships, responsibility, destiny, forgiveness, and the possibility of spiritual transformation.

The Cocktail Party (1950) combines drawing-room comedy with philosophical and spiritual themes. Beneath its polished social setting, the play explores marriage, identity, appearances, personal suffering, sacrifice, and the hidden realities of individual lives.

What You’ll Discover

• Murder in the Cathedral: Explore the conflict between religious conviction and political power through the story of Thomas Becket.
• The Family Reunion: Examine guilt, family tensions, destiny, forgiveness, and the search for redemption.
• The Cocktail Party: Look beneath social appearances to discover questions about identity, relationships, suffering, and sacrifice.
• Verse drama: Experience Eliot's distinctive use of poetic language within dramatic form.
• Faith and philosophy: Engage with recurring questions about morality, spirituality, responsibility, and human existence.
• Psychological complexity: Encounter characters confronting guilt, desire, conflict, and difficult choices.

Perfect For

• Readers of T.S. Eliot and classic English literature
• Students of English literature and theatre
• Fans of verse drama and modern theatre
• Readers interested in philosophy and religious themes in literature
• Those exploring twentieth-century dramatic literature
• Readers building a collection of major works by Nobel Prize-winning authors

Why You’ll Love This Book

T.S. Eliot: Selected Plays showcases the range of Eliot's dramatic writing across three very different settings and subjects. From the historical and spiritual conflict of Murder in the Cathedral to the psychological tensions of The Family Reunion and the sophisticated social world of The Cocktail Party, the collection demonstrates his ability to unite poetry with dramatic storytelling.

This paperback is a valuable choice for readers who want to explore Eliot beyond his poetry and encounter his distinctive treatment of morality, faith, identity, relationships, and redemption through modern verse drama.