The Pillowman Lesson Plan

How do you feel about McDonagh's portrayal of Michal? What opinion do you think he, as a playwright, has of the character?

Some students may find McDonagh's portrayal of Michal humorous, and enjoy the strange insights Michal is allowed to have through his childlike, cranky but kind persona. Others may feel that McDonagh is using Michal to make fun of people with intellectual disabilities. Students should consider what might change when Michal was performed by actors who made different sorts of choices, and what wouldn't change; whether Michal is portrayed as foolish or wrong; and whether it is necessary for a writer to respect their characters.

Early in the scene,...