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An analytical insight into the structure of the Brechtian theatre based on the plays ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’ and ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’

Year: 2022 Volume: 03

Bertolt Brecht developed the form of the ‘epic theatre’ which can be defined as the foundation of the logical diversion of the direction of the conventional theatre. Brecht through this route of the epic theatre utilizes the theatre as a social and innovative logical instrument with the motive of initiating a social change which will have an impact on the existing social texture and the mentality of the social beings. The research focuses on analyzing how Brecht pursued a rationalistic route deviating from the core of the conventional theatrical structure, in instituting the form of the ‘epic theatre’ which can be defined as the foundation of the logical diversion of the direction of the conventional theatre. The foremost Brechtian plays, ‘Mother Courage and Her Children and ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ were analyzed to examine to which extent Brecht portrays the inner conflicts which social beings undergo in identifying their survival in relation to the discipline of emotion and reason. The data collecting procedure was conducted by utilizing secondary data collection methods. Accordingly, content analysis (conceptual analysis, relational analysis), discourse analysis and structural analysis were used in collecting and analyzing the relevant data. The study focused on analyzing the two plays Mother Courage and Her Children and ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ based on the Marxist ideological perspectives. The plays, ‘Mother Courage and Her Children, and ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle, induce the spectator to contemplate and reflect on the Brechtian thematic perspectives such as ‘Victimization of the human being through the insatiable desire for material comfort, human incapability to confront the social evils, the dichotomy between emotion and reason etc. Thus, approaching the irrational social symptoms from a communist political point of view, Brecht within his plays portrays the inner conflicts which social beings undergo in identifying their survival in relation to the discipline of emotion and reason. ‘Grusha’ in ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle and ‘Kattrin’ in ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’ pursue the route of the universal principle of humanity which functions as the instinctive element in contrast to the rationally moulded sphere of reason. Brecht can be identified as a rebel whose intention is to move the social structure towards a new sphere in persuading the people to perceive through the obscured social veil. Along with the ideologies such as Marxism and the influence of the political theatre of Erwin Piscator, Brecht made an effort to transform the theatre into a source of social revival, thought inspiration and a foundation for social discourse.

Keywords
Brechtian plays , Epic theatre , Social reality , Rationality , Eevolutionary approach

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