There are those who might argue Becket is a historical piece. Others might support its place as a study of kingship or of archbishop-hood. This opinion contends that it is a drama whose deepest theme transcends all of the above, a tragedy of friendship.
Henry Plantagent (King Henry II) and Thomas Becket (Archbishop of Canterbury) were as close friends as Henry Plantagent and the church were close enemies. Becket opens with Henry naked on his knees in front of Becket’s tomb waiting to be flogged in penance for orchestrating the murder of the dead archbishop. A mock dialogue between the king and the dead archbishop is constructed by Anouilh, a dialogue in which Henry reveals the former closeness of the two friends “We had a few fine summer evenings together, with the girls…we were like two brothers…every thought in my head came from you…you taught me everything…Ah, those were happy times…” (Anouilh 2-3).
Despite their close friendship, the moment Thomas Becket is appointed archbishop by Henry, he immediately supports the position of the church, Henry’s biggest and staunchest enemy. Thus, two close friends become pitted in a historical struggle that pitted the church against kingship, divine right against God’s right, and, as Henry and Becket admit “In all save the honor of the realm”, versus “In all save the honor of God” (Anouilh 2). These opposing ideological points-of-view indeed make Becket a historical piece that is also a study of kingship and a study of archbishop-hood. However, the transcendent theme if one of friendship because the friendship bond between Henry and Becket cannot transcend (survive) these ideological differences.
Henry is every inch a king, but Becket is every inch an archbishop. Neither can afford to give an inch because each is a player determined to live a role within which they will not step out of character. Henry will not give more power
...