Here are some examples:
Ancient Greek Theatre:
* Antigone by Sophocles: While Antigone is a princess, her tragic conflict arises from her defiance of the law in favor of her moral beliefs. This makes her a figure who resonates with commoners.
* Medea by Euripides: Medea is not royalty but a powerful woman, a sorceress, who faces tragic consequences due to her rage and actions against her husband Jason.
Shakespeare:
* Romeo and Juliet: Two young lovers, members of feuding families, face a tragic fate due to circumstances beyond their control.
* Othello: Othello, a military general, is a man of common birth, but his tragic fall is driven by jealousy and manipulated by Iago.
Later Plays:
* An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen: A doctor faces social ostracism and personal tragedy for exposing the corruption of his community.
* Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller: A man's life unravels as he fails to achieve the American dream, highlighting the pressures and disappointments of ordinary life.
Modern Theatre:
* A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams: Blanche Dubois, a woman facing mental and financial ruin, struggles with the harsh realities of life and the loss of her idealized past.
* The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Ordinary people are caught in the grip of mass hysteria during the Salem Witch Trials, leading to tragic consequences.
These examples show that playwrights have long been interested in exploring the tragic experiences of ordinary people. While there may have been a greater emphasis on royalty in earlier eras, the themes of human suffering, loss, and the struggles of everyday life have always been central to tragedy.