Bertolt Brecht

1898 - 1956 *

German poet and playwright whose theories of a relationship of alienation between audience and theatre had a marked inpact on the development of drama.

Brecht's guiding theatrical principle related to alienating the audience from the events on stage so that they could absorb the social and political significance of the characters' actions. This detachment, referred to as the Verfremdungs-Effekt was achieved through a number of theatrical devices which aim to make the audience contstantly aware that they are watching a dramatic production rather than an illusion of reality.

Living in an era of great ideological upheaval, Brecht was influenced by the works of Karl Marx and developed his own leftist political agenda. He left Germany for the United States after his works were banned by the government there, but he continued writing. Making use of the devices he introduced in order to ensure his political message would reach his audience, Brecht's works have become very influential in the study of drama.

          Source: Classics Network Editorial Team

German poet, playwright, and theatrical reformer, one of the most prominent figures in the 20th-century theatre. In his works Brecht have been concerned with encouraging audiences to think rather than becoming too involved in the story and to identify with the characters. In this process he used alienation effects (A Effekts). Brecht developed a form of drama called epic theatre in which ideas or didactic lessons are important.

"In order to produce A Effects the actor has to discard whatever means he has learned of persuading the audience to identify itself with the characters ... [read entire biography]

          Source: Petri Liukkonen

These essays offer analysis of the author's life and works. Many of them have been submitted by users, and are assigned an Editorial Rating on a scale from one to five stars to assist you in evaluating their worth. See also: Note on Essays, Editorial Policy.

     

Times of Brecht Context - An Analysis -- Evaluates of one of his most famous texts to the ideologies of its informing context.
By Andrew Nicol, Student	Editorial Rating:

     

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Additional searches

Brecht at Encarta Encyclopedia

Brecht at Britannica Encyclopedia

Brecht at Xrefer.com