Nietzsche’s Theory of Art as Dionysian Intoxication and Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman

Abstract

The characters in Martin McDonagh’s Pillowman attempt to confront existential truths through the act of asserting dominance and influencing others through their stories. This paper explores the characters' representations of storytelling, morality and human suffering in relation to the ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche. This approach argues that the play forces the viewer to confront the complexity of value creation and the role of art in shaping our understanding of life, and provides an opportunity for reflection on the potential and limitations of the Übermensch as an artist and creator of new values in a world that rejects answers and simple moral truths.