Article: Sıla Şenlen Güvenc ‘[You can’t kill me]’: Scottish Identity and the Anglo-Scottish Union in David Greig’s Dunsinane

There have been an increasing number of Scottish plays dealing with Scottish history, national identity, and independence, especially following the devolution in 1999 and the announcement of the referendum. These plays focusing on recent political issues such as the Union, the devolution, and Scotland’s break with the United Kingdom have shown the extent to which theatre has become an important forum and alternative site for dialogue about Scottish independence. One such play is David Greig’s Dunsinane (2010), a sequel to Shakespeare’s Macbeth(1605–6) supporting the Union of 1603. In contrast to Shakespeare, however, Dunsinane appears to argue for Scottish independence. This article will focus on how the Macbeth story has been reinterpreted to challenge the misrepresentation of Scottish history by Shakespeare, and invite the audience to re-think Anglo-Scottish relations. In addition to relating a more accurate history and representation of eleventh century Scottish history, Greig uses geographical, cultural and linguistic differences between England and Scotland to comment on Scotland’s selfgovernance, freedom and future. Although the play was composed in 2010, it clearly captures the cultural and political feelings of independence that gave way to the announcement of the referendum.