The three priests function as a group in a similar fashion to a Greek chorus early in the play, in that they speak to the audience about Becket before he comes onstage. However, the priests are not a single unit; we know this because each priest has a different opinion of Becket. All three of the priests want to help Becket, but they express different opinions about what will happen upon Becket's return to England. The first priest is fearful; the second is hopeful; the third, fatalistic, saying "For good or ill, let the wheel turn." By the second part of the play, all three priests band together to try to persuade Becket to flee for his life.
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