Tragedy Plays, Including Tragic Heroines
The plays with tragic heroines have their own section at the bottom.
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (2 Acts)
Willy Loman is a 63 year old traveling salesman. He returns home early after canceling a trip to Boston. His wife, Linda, is concerned about his mental health and the strain of his job. She wants him to request a non-traveling position. Their two son’s, Biff and Happy, both in their 30s, are visiting. Willy is disappointed that they haven’t made anything of themselves, particularly Biff. Biff plans on asking a former employer for a job.
The beginning of this play can be read in the preview of Death of a Salesman: Revised Edition. (44% in)
Beyond the Horizon by Eugene O’Neill (3 Acts)
Robert and Andy live on the Mayo family farm. Robert is a reader and is drawn to life off the farm. He’s leaving tomorrow on a sea voyage with his uncle. Andy is strong and loves farm life. They both love Ruth, who lives on the neighboring farm. She comes to visit for Robert’s farewell. Her comments throw a wrench into everyone’s plans.
The first act of this play can be read in the preview of Plays of Eugene O’Neill. (3% in)
The Persians by Aeschylus
King Xerxes of Persia is away leading the war effort against the Greeks. Atossa, the Queen Mother, waits for news of the battle. A messenger eventually arrives with a report on the Battle of Salamis.
This play can be read in the preview of The Greek Plays: Sixteen Plays by . . . (27% in)
Ivanov by Anton Chekhov (4 Acts)
Ivanov and Anna have been married five years. She renounced her Jewish heritage and gave up her money for him. Ivanov is depressed and heavily in debt. Anna has tuberculosis and needs to go to the Crimea, but there isn’t enough money. A young woman, Sasha, is infatuated with Ivanov.
The first act can be read in the preview of Anton Chekhov’s Plays. (6% in)
A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller (2 Acts)
Alfieri, an Italian-American lawyer, tells the story of Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman. He lives with his wife, Beatrice, and her orphan niece, Catherine, who’s almost eighteen. Eddie is becoming increasingly attracted to Catherine. Two of Beatrice’s cousins, Marco and Rodolpho, arrive as illegal immigrants, and stay with the family. Catherine and Rodolpho start dating, causing tension with Eddie.
Blood Wedding by Federico Garcia Lorca (3 Acts)
The Bridegroom’s wedding to the Bride is approaching. His father and brother were killed by the Felix family. The Bride’s first love is a man named Leonardo, a member of the Felix family. Leonardo, now married with a child, hears that the Bride is getting married and gets upset. He has also been spotted lately near the Bride’s home.
A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (3 Acts)
Nora comes home after some shopping. Her husband, Torvald, a bank manager, scolds her over her spending. Nora had secured a loan years earlier by forging her father’s signature. She has been secretly paying it back but is finding it difficult. Krogstad, a man who works for her husband, knows Nora’s secret and threatens her when he runs into some problems.
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (5 Acts)
Thebes is rife with problems, so the people entreat King Oedipus for help. He says he has dispatched Creon to consult an oracle. Creon says the problems are due to the murder of the last king, and they won’t end until justice is done. A prophet also arrives with a startling revelation.
Murder in the Cathedral by T. S. Eliot (2 Acts)
Archbiship Becket is returning to England after being exiled for a disagreement with the king over religious involvement in government. News of his return elicits a mixed reaction from the priests and commoners. Becket is visited by four Tempters who entice him to leave the church.
The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance (21 Scenes)
Dr. Treves is the new lecturer of anatomy at London Hospital. He becomes aware of John Merrick, a man with severe deformities. He pays the manager of the freak show, Ross, to study Merrick for a while. After a problem with his employment, Merrick becomes reacquainted with Treves.
Death and the King’s Horseman by Wole Soyinka (5 Acts)
Elesin Oba walks through a village market in Nigeria, accompanied by drummers and singers. The women flirt with him. Elesin proclaims his commitment to the duty he must perform. This is his last day of life. The king died a month ago and is to be buried tonight. As the king’s chief horseman, it is Elesin’s duty to kill himself so the king won’t be alone.
The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca (3 Acts)
Bernarda Alba’s second husband has died. She imposes an eight year period of mourning on her five daughters. They’ll be cut off from the outside world, especially from men. The oldest daughter, Angustias, has some money inherited from her father, Bernarda’s first husband. She has a suitor, Pepe, although he’s only interested because of her money. Bernarda oppresses her household.
Andromache by Jean Racine
Orestes goes to the court of Pyrrhus in Greece on an official assignment from King Menalaus of Sparta to demand that Pyrrhus turn over Astyanax, the Trojan prince. He was saved from death during the war by his mother, Andromache, who is now a slave of Pyrrhus. Although engaged to Hermione, the daughter of Menalaus, Pyrrhus loves Andromache and tries to coerce her into marrying him. Meanwhile, Orestes is in love with Hermione and is considering drastic action to steal her from Pyrrhus.
Riders to the Sea by J. M. Synge (1 Act)
Maurya’s husband and five of her six sons have died at sea. Her remaining son, Bartley, plans to sail to the mainland to sell horses. Maurya and her daughters lives are infused with their Catholic beliefs and superstitions.
• Tragic Heroines •
Machinal by Sophie Treadwell (9 Episodes)
Helen works at an office. George, a wealthy man, asks Helen to marry him. Helen wants to escape her job but doesn’t find George attractive. They eventually get married. Helen is soon unhappy, and after giving birth, even more so. When she goes out with a friend one night she meets Roe, and they are attracted to each other.
