Bertolt Brecht

Bertolt Brecht
Born	Eugen Berthold Friedrich Brecht 10 February 1898 Augsburg, German Empire
Died	August 14, 1956(1956-08-14) (aged 58) East Berlin, East Germany
Occupation	Playwright, poet, theatre director
Notable work	The Threepenny Opera, Mother Courage and Her Children, The Life of Galileo

Bertolt Brecht (born Eugen Berthold Friedrich Brecht; 10 February 1898 – 14 August 1956) was a German playwright, poet, and theatre director. He is best known for his development of the epic theatre and his contributions to theatre theory. Brecht's work is characterized by a focus on social and political themes, often employing techniques that encourage the audience to critically engage with the performance rather than becoming emotionally absorbed.

Early Life and Education

Brecht was born in Augsburg, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, part of the German Empire. He was the son of Berthold Friedrich Brecht, a paper mill director, and Sophie Brezing. Brecht attended the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, where he studied medicine and philosophy, but his interests soon turned to theatre and literature.

Career

Brecht's early work was influenced by Expressionism, but he soon developed his own style, which he called "epic theatre." This style was intended to provoke rational self-reflection and a critical view of the action on the stage. Brecht's plays often include a narrator who comments on the action, and he used techniques such as breaking the fourth wall to remind the audience that they are watching a play.

Major Works

Brecht's most famous works include:

• The Threepenny Opera (1928) - A musical play written in collaboration with composer Kurt Weill. It is a critique of capitalism and bourgeois society.
• Mother Courage and Her Children (1939) - A play set during the Thirty Years' War, it explores themes of war and capitalism.
• The Life of Galileo (1938-1939) - A play about the life of the scientist Galileo Galilei, focusing on the conflict between science and authority.

Exile and Later Life

With the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany, Brecht fled the country in 1933. He lived in various countries, including Denmark, Sweden, and the United States, before returning to East Germany in 1949. In East Berlin, he founded the Berliner Ensemble, a theatre company dedicated to performing his works.

Influence and Legacy

Brecht's theories and practices have had a profound impact on modern theatre. His concept of the "Verfremdungseffekt" or "alienation effect" is a key element of his epic theatre, encouraging audiences to remain detached and critically engaged. Brecht's work has influenced numerous playwrights and directors, and his plays continue to be performed worldwide.

Personal Life

Brecht was married to actress Helene Weigel, with whom he had two children. He had numerous affairs throughout his life, which often influenced his work.

Death

Brecht died of a heart attack on 14 August 1956 in East Berlin. He was buried in the Dorotheenstadt Cemetery.

See Also

• Epic theatre
• Verfremdungseffekt
• Berliner Ensemble

References

• Willett, John. Brecht on Theatre: The Development of an Aesthetic. Hill and Wang, 1964.
• Thomson, Peter. Brecht: A Biography. Routledge, 1997.

External Links

• Encyclopaedia Britannica: Bertolt Brecht
• Bertolt Brecht Archive