Bertolt Brecht Uses Epic Theatre as a Way of Presenting His Political Views and Agitating for Change

Bertolt Brecht uses epic theatre as a way of presenting his political views and agitating for change.

One of the major reasons that Bertolt Brecht is so well known is the fact that he uses his plays as a means of presenting his political views, and uses epic theatre to agitate change. In “Foreign Literature- Part 2” Illiford (1987), Brecht is described as a: “son of his time. He lived and fought in a definite society, in definite historico-social conditions. He penetrated this society in context of his works.” This statements’ nature can be seen in the plays “The Threepenny Opera” (3PO) and “Mother Courage and her Children.” (MC), which both display Brecht’s rich political views throughout. In MC Brecht puts forward the idea that our society is structured in a way that does not allow good people to exist, in 3PO Brecht criticizes the concept of social classes and in both- religious institutions are criticised. Brecht wrote the plays in this manner because he did not merely wish to entertain the audience and let them leave the theatre with a mere feeling of “pathos” (with an emotional journey that ends as the audience leaves the theatre), Brecht’s goal was to cause the audience to look at the bigger picture and question society- so that they may go on to play a part in it’s bettering. This is the goal that all of Brecht’s play share.

In MC Brecht puts forward the political message that our society does not allow good people to exist. This can be seen in the character of Swiss Cheese and his constant comparisons with Jesus Christ. The audience feels a great amount of regret for Swiss Cheese- because his kind nature is truly revealed right before his death in his manner of treatment to Kattrin.

“[Kattrin points to a tree]

Swiss Cheese: Aye, the leaves are turning yellow.

[Kattrin asks by gestures if he wants a drink]

Swiss Cheese: Don’t want no drink.“

This causal act of kindness is a great contrast to the treatment that Kattrin receives from all the other characters in the play (including Mother Courage.) Everyone else in the play either ignores Kattrin completely, or speaks as if she is not present and has no intelligence whatsoever- that seems unfair to the audience who realise that although Kattrin is “dumb” (cannot speak) is does not mean that she does not understand what is going on. The idea that Kattrin knows more than the other characters think she does is seen in the recurring motif of Kattrin listening and knowing what is going on before any of the other characters. Swiss Cheese is contrasted to Jesus Christ as he speaks to Kattrin (considered lowly by societies standards) as an equal. Jesus was also known for his acceptance of all types of people: Including the hated taxpayers and the “dirty” prostitutes. After Swiss Cheeses death he is denied by Mother Courage three times (Like Peter denied Jesus Christ in the bible), being aligned further with Jesus Christ. However, it can be seen that although Swiss Cheese was a good person and died because of his honesty, the audience is left wondering why he does not simply let the cashbox go- highlighting the stupidity of honesty during war. Swiss Cheese is compared with Jesus by the Chaplain- but he did not die a noble death, he died because of his stupid unwavering honesty. Brecht’s political idea that our society does not allow good people to exist is dramatised by the presence of war- therefore making death an inevitable way of portraying this theme. Brecht, however dramatic the scene, remains faithful to his theatre style through putting in a shockingly timed joke to alienate the audience: “Eleven bullets they gave him, that’s all.” This joking comparison to cheese (as he is riddled with holes) immediately alienates the audience and stops them from feeling too sympathetic for Swiss Cheese. This lack of sympathy forces the audience to look at the big picture and question why society does not allow good people to exist and also why Swiss Cheese’s unwavering honesty seems stupid to the average viewer.

In MC Brecht also constantly criticises religious organizations - and this can be seen in the climatic scene in which Kattrin dies and it’s subplot of the peasant.

“The Peasant: And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Amen.

[Sitting on the roof Kattrin begins to beat a drum] ...[The Peasant hurries to the ladder but Kattrin pulls it up onto the roof.]

The peasant: [Looking for a stone to throw] I’ll stone you!”

The irony of this event is that one moment the peasant is praying to God about being forgiven