Drama Research Notes: Bertolt Brecht

Lived from: 1898 to 1956

Work: and example plays:
First full play, Baal written in 1918 and performed in 1923. The play concerns the actions of an
immoral hedonist and rake who perceives his actions as a crusade of rejection of the bureaucratic
suppressive society that surrounds him. Brecht tries to give the character a sense of romanticism
despite his abhorrent acts. This is popularly regarded as the first use of an Anti-hero as a work of
fictions protagonist although the Latter books in Thomas Harriss Series when Dr Hannibal Lector
becomes the protagonist in the third and fourth novels or American Dime novels however the
former lacks any form of romanticism to provide the illusion of heroism or similar traits whilst the
latter were so emphasised, subjective and poorly written too be regarded as having any literary
legacy whatsoever.
Other Possible include Sir Conan Doyles Raffles although he falls more as a pure hero with a Robin
Hood Complex.
These influences went on to inspire other Literary of comic subgenres and themes including
-The 90s antihero primary features in comics, usually far more competent and empowered than a
typical protagonist, jeopardy is instead usually provided by internal or psychological flaws e.g. threat
of complete moral oblivion, consuming ennui, attachment to someone more vulnerable
-Many examples of cold war spy fiction including Ian Flemings James Bond Novels explored similar
themes of rejection of social pressures as well as somewhat dubious attitudes to women.

Political ideology: Brecht intended to use theatre and drama as a means to educate and liberate the
working classes from exploitation by the privileged and educated. He took a dim view of bankers and
their role in exploiting the poor in order to amass wealth for the privileged.
The law was made for one thing alone, for the exploitation of those who don't understand
it, or are prevented by naked misery from obeying it.
Due to his communist leanings Brecht left Germany in 1933