Question

Becket's last words are, "O Lord, how heavy thy honor is to bear" and "Poor Henry." Why are these two words mentioned together?

a) Becket feels burdened by the honor of martyrdom and pities Henry
b) Becket is mocking Henry's lack of honor
c) Becket is expressing regret for his actions
d) Becket is seeking forgiveness from God

Answer 1

Thomas Becket's last words reflect his sense of the burden of martyrdom and his pity for King Henry II, indicating a dual recognition of his sacrifice and the ramifications for the king.

Step-by-step explanation:

Becket's last words, "O Lord, how heavy thy honor is to bear" and "Poor Henry," are significant in depicting his role as a martyr and his relationship with King Henry II. The two statements are mentioned together because Becket feels burdened by the honor of martyrdom and he also pities Henry. This is not a mockery of Henry's honor, nor is it an expression of regret or a seeking of forgiveness from God. Instead, Becket acknowledges the weight of his sacrifice for his principles and the Church, while also expressing compassion for King Henry II, who will have to bear the consequences of Becket's martyrdom.