After writing a Socratic dialogue between Aristotle and a contemporary theatre worker about the possibility of tragedy today, I went to see JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK at the National Theatre.  Set in Ireland during the Civil War, the play tracks one family's rise and fall into disintegration.  It was well-acted, beautifully designed and yes, I daresay, tragic.  I'm not religious, but the prayer which playwright Sean O'Casey gives to two mothers who've lost their sons broke my heart: "Blessed Virgin, where were you when me darlin’ son was riddled with bullets? Sacred Heart o’ Jesus, take away our hearts o’ stone, and give us hearts o’ flesh! Take away this murdherin’ hate, an’ give us Thine own eternal love!"