Bertolt Brecht
Germany's most influential 20th-century playwright, Brecht developed Epic Theater as a Marxist alternative to Aristotelian drama. His Verfremdungseffekt (alienation effect) was designed to prevent audiences from losing themselves emotionally and instead think critically. His plays and theoretical writings reshaped world theater.
Works
- Bertolt Brechts HauspostillePoetry collection combining devotional and irreverent modes with social critique
- Buckow ElegiesBrief lyric poems from aging dramatist's retreat reflecting on mortality
- Collected PoemsMajor retrospective of politically engaged playwright-poet's complete works
- Mother CouragePlay about survival during wartime through merchants' moral compromises
- Mother Courage and Her ChildrenPlay about survival during wartime through merchants' moral compromises
- The Threepenny OperaSatirical ballad opera exposing greed and corruption in capitalist society
- The Good Person of SzechwanPlay exploring ethical paradox of a woman divided between survival and morality
- Life of GalileoPlay dramatizing scientist's moral reckoning with war and political responsibility
- The Caucasian Chalk CirclePlay about justice and maternal love set in Caucasian village
- The Good Woman of SetzuanPlay exploring ethical paradox of a woman divided between survival and morality