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jamesjwrigley's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Did not expect it to be that homoerotic...
aemowers's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
smuttea_matcha's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed it enough to read it through. It's not something I would pick up again. It's pretty messed up what Henry did to Becket, especially since they were best friends.
saloni27's review against another edition
5.0
cinematic masterpiece (first and only time I will use that phrase to describe words)
caliesha's review against another edition
5.0
"Sire, we loved each other and I think he cannot forgive me for preferring God to him."
This was really great. So far the plan for my MA is to look at the cult of Thomas Becket and its influence on English society in the high medieval period. Although this was full of historical inaccuracies (Becket was not a Saxon!), it captured the spirit of Becket and Henry II's unique relationship well. I am wary of making historical reaches, however, I will say at times this relationship felt like Achilles and Patroclus... Anyway, Anouilh did a wonderful job of capturing Henry's boyish energy and envious temper, as well as Becket's internal struggle to maintain the honour of God.
I also liked that this was written to be read. Some plays read as a directive script, but this felt like a proper narrative. There are several places where Anouilh includes stage directions solely for the reader. Instead of just writing He crossed himself it reads He crosses himself. The wind of excommunication shivers through the Council. The King, awed, crosses himself too. This added commentary almost makes up for the fact that, had I been born 40 years earlier, I could have seen Becket premiere at the height of Autumn in New York City. Oh well.
Happy to give my first (non-reread) 5 stars of the year :)
This was really great. So far the plan for my MA is to look at the cult of Thomas Becket and its influence on English society in the high medieval period. Although this was full of historical inaccuracies (Becket was not a Saxon!), it captured the spirit of Becket and Henry II's unique relationship well. I am wary of making historical reaches, however, I will say at times this relationship felt like Achilles and Patroclus... Anyway, Anouilh did a wonderful job of capturing Henry's boyish energy and envious temper, as well as Becket's internal struggle to maintain the honour of God.
I also liked that this was written to be read. Some plays read as a directive script, but this felt like a proper narrative. There are several places where Anouilh includes stage directions solely for the reader. Instead of just writing He crossed himself it reads He crosses himself. The wind of excommunication shivers through the Council. The King, awed, crosses himself too. This added commentary almost makes up for the fact that, had I been born 40 years earlier, I could have seen Becket premiere at the height of Autumn in New York City. Oh well.
Happy to give my first (non-reread) 5 stars of the year :)
clonazine's review against another edition
4.0
Que alguien haga una versión moderna donde becket y el Rey sean pareja déjame de joder tan dolido ibas a estar? Igual entiendo que para el Rey, Becket era más que un amigo, un hermano y que en el fondo él nunca se sintió digno de su amor.
Aunque por momentos se me hizo medio densa la lectura, me encantó lo bien perfilados que estan ambos protagonistas, uno comprende las motivaciones, la psiquis de cada uno. Sus soliloquios son lo mejor de toda la obra.
Aunque por momentos se me hizo medio densa la lectura, me encantó lo bien perfilados que estan ambos protagonistas, uno comprende las motivaciones, la psiquis de cada uno. Sus soliloquios son lo mejor de toda la obra.
charlibirb's review against another edition
5.0
I really want to see this play live. Couldn't tell if the love between Becket & King was brotherly or kind or romantic.
marginson's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
leasaurusrex's review against another edition
4.0
Moi qui déteste lire le théâtre... Cette pièce se lit d'une seule traite, grâce à la plume fluide de Jean Anouilh.
Son sens impressionnant de la mise en scène, qu'il détaille à chaque instant, ne tombe pas dans le piège communément tendu, et n'encombre pas le récit. Au contraire, il rend le texte plus vivant, et se libère de l'emphase théâtrale qui m'a toujours gênée dans la lecture de pièces.
Je pense que je n'ai pas tout saisi, par manque d'intelligence, certainement, mais j'ai beaucoup aimé l'humour subtil et l'incroyable énigme de ce Thomas Becket.
Il n'est cependant pas à la hauteur d'Antigone, ma chouchoute pour toujours.
Son sens impressionnant de la mise en scène, qu'il détaille à chaque instant, ne tombe pas dans le piège communément tendu, et n'encombre pas le récit. Au contraire, il rend le texte plus vivant, et se libère de l'emphase théâtrale qui m'a toujours gênée dans la lecture de pièces.
Je pense que je n'ai pas tout saisi, par manque d'intelligence, certainement, mais j'ai beaucoup aimé l'humour subtil et l'incroyable énigme de ce Thomas Becket.
Il n'est cependant pas à la hauteur d'Antigone, ma chouchoute pour toujours.
polyhy_14's review against another edition
5.0
Powerful and deeply moving rendering of this episode in English history along with the troubled relationship between two men who are deeply attached, but end up at odds with each other as their ideals and ambitions begin to diverge.