Tragic Plots from Bootle to Baghdad

Abstract

This article applies the template of tragic structure as described by Aristotle in the Poetics to offer readings of three significant plays of recent years: Shopping and Fucking (1996) by Mark Ravenhill, Blasted (1995) by Sarah Kane and Stuff Happens (2004) by David Hare. The article proposes that each could be described as a contemporary tragedy, as each in some way follows the changing fortunes of a ‘hero’ or central protagonist, and some or all of the features of hamartia, anagnorisis, peripeteia and pathos can be seen operating within their plots. Examining their underlying dramaturgical structure in terms of the design of the events of the plot (muthos), as opposed to judging them by their surface content, raises questions as to whether they can be categorized so simply into ‘in your face’ theatre versus ‘verbatim’ or documentary theatre. The article therefore questions the division of plays into private, non-political stories focused on the individual (Ravenhill and Kane) versus ‘large’ stories, engaged with public events of historical and political magnitude (Hare), arguing that it is intrinsic to tragic plot design to demonstrate the deep connection between the two.