Aeschylus’s timeless trilogy, The Oresteia, chronicles a sweeping saga of destiny and vengeance, unfolding the fateful events that lead to the Trojan War and Clytemnestra’s fierce retribution against her husband for the sacrifice of their daughter. The subsequent plays delve into the aftermath of Agamemnon’s demise by his wife’s hand and Clytemnestra’s own fall at the hands of their son, Orestes. Since its explosive debut in 458 B.C.E., The Oresteia has left an indelible mark on the evolution of tragic drama.

In Medea, Euripides crafts a gripping blood tragedy that delves into the insidious nature of revenge and murder. Mirroring the vengeful cycle that ensnares Patrick and Jeremiah in Morning Star, Medea enacts a chilling retribution by slaying her own children to punish her unfaithful consort, Jason. All characters are ensnared in a relentless web of bloodshed, each paying for their transgressions, except for Medea, who escapes to safety aboard a serpent-drawn chariot.

Explorations of Justice and Hysteria

Arthur Miller’s iconic 1952 play, The Crucible, delves into the shadowy heart of American history—the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Through this ominous backdrop, Miller examines the themes of justice, malevolence, and the frenzy of mass hysteria, unveiling the grim reality of how upstanding citizens found themselves complicit in the execution of nineteen of their own. The play resonates with the violent undertones that are woven into the fabric of American identity.

In 1959, Lorraine Hansberry introduced audiences to her lauded play, A Raisin in the Sun, a poignant tale of aspiration and perseverance within an African-American family. This instant classic reshaped the landscape of American theater, shattering stereotypes and portraying African-Americans as authentic individuals with dreams, aspirations, and struggles. The play’s rare happy ending marked a significant deviation from the typical narratives of American drama during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Epic Tales and Historical Contexts

Centennial, a monumental novel by James Michener from the mid-1970s, paints a sprawling portrait of the American West, populated by Native Americans, European trappers, and American settlers. Michener’s narrative is richly layered, focusing on storytelling rather than the moral allegories presented in The Kentucky Cycle.

Much like The Crucible and A Raisin in the Sun, Pearl Cleage’s 1992 piece Flyin’ West employs a historical backdrop to examine pressing issues of family dynamics, domestic abuse, and racial tensions. Set in Nichodemus, an all-black town in Kansas, Cleage unveils the lengths to which a determined group of women will go to safeguard their kin and their cherished way of life.

Contemporary Comedy and Drama

In 1992, Theresa Rebeck’s Spike Heels boldly tackles modern notions of gender roles, class distinctions, sexuality, and violence, weaving humor and wit into the fabric of contemporary theater. The protagonist, Georgie, finds herself torn between a love interest deemed "good" for her and another man who ardently desires her. In many respects, Spike Heels serves as a comedic counterpart to George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, delivering laughs in abundance.