Hazrat Imam Ali: Any person whose two days of life are similar is a loser.
Paradox is the main element of dramatic works. And we need two powers opposite each other in order to form any play; the two powers that one of which intends to change the current situation and the other one intends to keep the current situation. Therefore, all of the elements of the play and other elements are influenced by the intention of these two powers. And they develop parallel with these powers. We can observe "Clash”? in other narrative forms too. These other forms of narrative forms are namely myth, legend, story, old story, narrative movie, etc. all of these mentioned narrative forms find identity by getting help from clash and fighting. They change into an attractive possibility for following up an idea and target which is pre-identified by the writer. And they finally achieve a form of development and result. We can find one of the most beautiful forms of paradox in the sentence said by Hazrat Imam Ali [The first imam of the Shiite people] that was written at the beginning of the article. War is one of the outstanding appearances of paradox and clash. What ever the motivation of war is, it benefits from two opposing powers.
Introductory:
Hazrat Imam Ali: Any person whose two days of life are similar is a loser.
Paradox is the main element of dramatic works. And we need two powers opposite
each other in order to form any play; the two powers that one of which intends
to change the current situation and the other one intends to keep the current
situation. Therefore, all of the elements of the play and other elements are
influenced by the intention of these two powers. And they develop parallel with
these powers.
We can observe "Clash”? in other narrative forms too. These other forms of
narrative forms are namely myth, legend, story, old story, narrative movie,
etc. all of these mentioned narrative forms find identity by getting help from
clash and fighting. They change into an attractive possibility for following up
an idea and target which is pre-identified by the writer. And they finally
achieve a form of development and result.
We can find one of the most beautiful forms of paradox in the sentence said by
Hazrat Imam Ali [The first imam of the Shiite people] that was written at the
beginning of the article. War is one of the outstanding appearances of paradox
and clash. What ever the motivation of war is, it benefits from two opposing
powers.
When studying and reviewing the subject of war in myths and legends, we find
out that war has a high position which is deeply noticed by writers such that
even the mythical gods were involved in it and encouraged others to get
involved in war.
In this respect; "The Whales”? and "The Temple of German Gods”? are the best
examples; because their images show combatants who are holding a celebration
after a victorious battle. These conqueror combatants are drinking wine in the
head bowl of their enemies and eat their body viscera under the sharp look of
god of war who is surrounded by the spoils of war, slaves and captives. These
conqueror fighters divide share the body viscera of the enemy and wine in the
heads of enemy with each other and finally spend their time in the castle of
god while being at the peak of joy.
In contrary to peacefulness of the Chinese myths about war and opposition and
disagreement of Buddhism Religion with war, the Brahma Religion has expressed
about the battles of gods in its books and has spoken about different fairy,
daemon and battles of human beings, monkeys and some times other kinds of
animals.
A large part of great epic poetry books such as "Ramayana”? is allocated to
narration of myths. They are full of description of these wars and battles.
Temples of Hindu are full of stones on which the picture of these fights is
carved. Gods such as "Indra”?, "Mitra”?, "Varona”?, "Brahma”?, "Vishnu”?,
"Shiva”? and the god of "Kali”? are fighting with each other on war chariots.
In the myths of ancient Greek, "Zeus”? and fighter gods such as Titians,
daemons and "Tiphee”? fight with each other. "Chronos”? fights with
"Ophionee”?. "Mars”? is surrounded by dissension and fear. And "Apollon”? has
deadly arrows too.
As a rich book of Greek myths, the "Iliad and Odyssey”? is full of different
wars and battles. In those two epical stories, "Achilles”? is like "Rostam”? in
the Persian Literature. He passes through 12 adventures instead of 7 adventures
of "Rostam”? in the Persian Literature.
He is a commander in the army of "Agamemnon”? and is annoyed of him. Therefore,
he witnesses the battle from a far distance. But finally, he steps into the
battle field and fights in action. Although this war is the war of "Agamemnon”?
with the people of Trojan”? but it is actually the fight between "Zeus”? and
"Hera”? his wife.
In this epical story, there are many other wars too. As for "Zeus”?; we can
also remind that he first fought with his father by getting help from
"Titans”?. Then, when he dethrones his father, he divides existence between his
and his sisters and brothers.
When studying the history of plays in great ancient civilizations, we find out
the fact that war has been the main element for appearance of myths in
different old glorious lands and civilizations. It is the same fact that we
face when we study how human was created. It is found in the fight between
"Abel”? and "Cain”?, the sons of "Adam”? and "Eve”?.
Now, we study "War”? in the myths that create play in the land of Egypt:
We face with "Calamities of Abidous”? in the Egyptian myth; the calamities
which is mainly formed by the element of "War”?. And it becomes dramatic due to
creation of a ceremony that praises and honored "Oziris”?, one of the lords in
the ancient Egypt.
These mythical adventures were performed in the form of religious ceremonies in
Egypt every year. In these religious ceremonies, wars, burying dead people and
demonstration of thousands of people and clergymen of Egypt were shown and
performed.
In the similar Greek myth - it means "Dionysus”?- "Zeus”? - who is the god of
gods and has achieved to this position of god of gods after battle with his
father and defeating him - has a child from one of his wives. "Hera”?, his
first and main wide envies "Dionysus”?. And finally, following a plot designed
by "Hera”?, "Dionysus”? is killed and cut into pieces by "Hacats”?. "Zeus”?
finds his cut body and inspires soul in the cut parts of his body. Therefore,
he gives life to him again. This mythical thought causes formation of a
ceremony that is called "Teragous”? which is the basic root of "Tragedy”?.
The very important objective of the three following myths is dying and becoming
alive again. These myths are namely "Calamities of Abidus”? in ancient Egypt,
"Dionysus”? in ancient Greece and "Mourning for Siavash”? in Iran. It is like
the nature that apparently dies in the winter and becomes alive again in the
spring. The apparently died nature becomes alive in order to end to a spring.
Isn’t this death - that ends to another life - similar to death of human on
earth and his eternal life in the eternal world? Doesn’t it explain the
resurrection after death on this world?
1 - "War”? in some dramatic works of the world
1 - 1 - Some plays in the ancient Greece
Meanwhile we pay attention to the Greek theatres we study and focus on
existence of "War”? in some of the preliminary plays of Greece.
In the first play that we study it means the outstanding and eternal play of
"Tabay Legends”? written in the 5th century BC, the element of "War”? appears
in the time between the second and third acts of the play in this trilogy. And
we witness the results of that in the powerful pen of "Sophocles”?.
The second work in this trilogy is "Oedipus in Colonus”?. In this part of the
trilogy, one of the sons of Oedipus - who intends to fight with his brother -
goes to his father - who is in exile - in order to guarantee his victory by the
pray of his father. But "Oedipus”? has been bothered by his son due to his
unkind behavior in past. Therefore, "Oedipus”? curses his son and sends his son
away from him. This way, "Sophocles”? forms the nuclear of "War”? by which he
creates his third play that is "Antigone”?.
In the Play "Oedipus in Colonus”?, we witness insistence of "Creon”? on return
of "Oedipus”? to "Tabay”? City. The reason of the insistence is the fact that
according to prediction of gods the any land in which "Oedipus”? is buried is
safe from war and aggression.
But "Oedipus”? does not pay attention to this wish of "Creon”? and sends
"Creon”? away from him. And finally, "Oedipus”? is buried in "Colonus”? City
that gives asylum to "Oedipus”? and his daughter.
But the results and side effects of "War”? appears in the third play in these
series of plays. The Play "Antigone”? starts after finishing of battle between
the two brothers (Sons of Oedipus). "Antigone”? disobeys the command of King
Creon based on which the dead body of the brother who had attacked "Tabay”?
City should have remained on the ground and not buried. She pours soil on the
dead body of her brother; because this was not a godly command and it was a
selfish command of King Creon. This way and at the end of this action carried
out by "Antigone”?, we witness triple deaths of "Antigone”?, "Haemon”? 9The son
of King Creon and the fiancé of Antigone) and also the wife of "Creon”?.
In this play, the champion it means "Antigone”? focuses on burying all of the
bodies of dead people without considering the fact if they have been innocent
or guilty. In contrary to her, we witness the selfish motive of King Creon who
gives command without considering gods’ commands. King Creon commands tat the
dead body of the aggressor remains on the earth and prevents it to be buried under
the ground.
"Iphigenia”? is the name of another play written by "Euripides”? in the ancient
Greece. He was a famous and outstanding play writer in the ancient Greece. In
this play, the army of Greece has been waiting for a wind to blow in the
suitable way for a long time. The army of Greece intends to attack to "Trojan”?
City. They want that their ships move by the powerful wind. When there is no
wind after a long time, a rumor is spread among people that King Agamemnon
should sacrifice his daughter before the god of wind in order that maybe this
sacrifice would be accepted and the wind starts to blow. King Agamemnon is
aware about the intention of the people who have spread the rumor; but he has
no way except accepting this suggestion. His wife complains and says: "You do
not think about any thing except your kingdom and throne.”?
Then "Agamemnon”? speaks about his love fore her daughter and says that he has
to accept the solution. In this situation, "Iphigenia”? tells her father: "I
want to die for Greece.”?
”?War”? and battle field are not directly focused and explained in this play;
but like many other plays in this genre, this play focuses on humanitarian and
social results and side effects of war and necessity of defending the home
land, honor and beliefs as well as nationalist feelings.
By studying these plays, we come to the result that the champion of the play is
forced to get involved in war despite being opposed to war. The main character
of the play actually is put in the situation in which he or she is forced to
get involved in war and fight.
Focusing on common values and feelings that are fixed humanitarian values and
feelings that exist on minds and souls of all human beings is the mystery of
eternity of these plays and works.
In the other play written by "Euripides”? called "Trojan Women”?, the bitter
and ominous side effects of war are pictured in a shocking way. In this play,
the writer of the play has focused on some of the common humanitarian feelings
such as worry about invasion to the right of defenseless women and children by
the enemy, ignoring the feelings f father to his son and etc.
In the Play "Trojan Women”?, slavery and aggression do not end to adults. And
the women and children - who stay in the city that is drown in blood and fire -
are waiting to be chosen. Very little children are killed in the worst way with
the excuse that they would take revenge of their fathers one day in the future.
The aggressive forces do not suffice to this action. They force fathers to bury
their children with their won hands.
As a matter of fact, fear from such crime causes "Euripides”? to write his play
from this point of view and position.
"War”? is not merely condemned in tragedies; but even in the plays of comedy
writers such as "Aristophanes”? "War”? is criticized. "Aristophanes”? describes
"War”? as a harmful and disastrous phenomenon. He believes that the "Damned
Money”? is the main root of "War”?. And he believes that philosophers carry the
fault for the fact that people worship money. The philosophers are the people
who take the spirit of humility and manliness from people (Citizens). And these
philosophers teach people that right is with the person who is more powerful.
Considering the special situation of his era, "Aristophanes”? attacks the
ruling system of his time. He has written the Play "Arkanis”? in 415 B.C. in
this play, a farmer is not willing to leave his home and family and take refuge
to the city any more. And it has been due to several and numerous wars.
Therefore, he signs a contract of peace with the enemy (Spart). And at the end
of the play, the military commander of the city leaves for the battle field
while the farmer is holding a celebration in his private land.
"Iphigenia”? is the name of another play written by "Euripides”? in the ancient
Greece. He was a famous and outstanding play writer in the ancient Greece. In
this play, the army of Greece has been waiting for a wind to blow in the
suitable way for a long time. The army of Greece intends to attack to "Trojan”?
City. They want that their ships move by the powerful wind. When there is no
wind after a long time, a rumor is spread among people that King Agamemnon
should sacrifice his daughter before the god of wind in order that maybe this
sacrifice would be accepted and the wind starts to blow. King Agamemnon is
aware about the intention of the people who have spread the rumor; but he has
no way except accepting this suggestion. His wife complains and says: "You do
not think about any thing except your kingdom and throne.”?
Then "Agamemnon”? speaks about his love fore her daughter and says that he has
to accept the solution. In this situation, "Iphigenia”? tells her father: "I
want to die for Greece.”?
”?War”? and battle field are not directly focused and explained in this play;
but like many other plays in this genre, this play focuses on humanitarian and
social results and side effects of war and necessity of defending the home
land, honor and beliefs as well as nationalist feelings.
By studying these plays, we come to the result that the champion of the play is
forced to get involved in war despite being opposed to war. The main character
of the play actually is put in the situation in which he or she is forced to
get involved in war and fight.
Focusing on common values and feelings that are fixed humanitarian values and
feelings that exist on minds and souls of all human beings is the mystery of
eternity of these plays and works.
In the other play written by "Euripides”? called "Trojan Women”?, the bitter
and ominous side effects of war are pictured in a shocking way. In this play,
the writer of the play has focused on some of the common humanitarian feelings
such as worry about invasion to the right of defenseless women and children by
the enemy, ignoring the feelings f father to his son and etc.
In the Play "Trojan Women”?, slavery and aggression do not end to adults. And
the women and children - who stay in the city that is drown in blood and fire -
are waiting to be chosen. Very little children are killed in the worst way with
the excuse that they would take revenge of their fathers one day in the future.
The aggressive forces do not suffice to this action. They force fathers to bury
their children with their won hands.
As a matter of fact, fear from such crime causes "Euripides”? to write his play
from this point of view and position.
"War”? is not merely condemned in tragedies; but even in the plays of comedy
writers such as "Aristophanes”? "War”? is criticized. "Aristophanes”? describes
"War”? as a harmful and disastrous phenomenon. He believes that the "Damned
Money”? is the main root of "War”?. And he believes that philosophers carry the
fault for the fact that people worship money. The philosophers are the people
who take the spirit of humility and manliness from people (Citizens). And these
philosophers teach people that right is with the person who is more powerful.
Generally speaking; we can some to the result that "War”? has been blamed in
these works. "War”? is not actually confirmed in these works. At the same time,
straits are created regarding occurrence of war. And these straits harm the
humanity and moralities.
1 - 2 - Studying Some of the Plays Written by William Shakespeare
After having a review on the ancient Greece plays - as the pioneer in the
theatre of the world - we pause in another important historical period that is
called "Renaissance”?. Now, we review and study "War”? in the outstanding and
important theatre of England it means the works of "William Shakespeare”? who
is the most famous and powerful play writer.
In a few number of his plays, "William Shakespeare”? speaks about humanitarian
and social objectives related to "War”? in a very influential way by writing
plays about "War”?. In the Play "Macbeth”?, he introduces and describes a
commander who seeks power. Under the evil influence of his wife and fortune
teller magicians, he murders king Denken when he was slept at his home; the
"Denken”? that is the symbol of justice, honesty and appreciation. King Denken
had come to Macbeth’s home as a guest; but the play does not end to the first
crime. And other crimes are committed too. And finally, he and his wife becomes
the victim of their own crimes.
The Play "Macbeth”? speaks about the side effects and results of "War”? too.
This play starts with the report of victories of commander of the army - it
means "Macbeth”? - to King Denken. The play ends with revengeful attacks of
sons of the king against King Macbeth. In this play, "William Shakespeare”?
studies and criticizes seeking power and being greedy as killing and disastrous
obsessions. And by suitable consequence at the end of the play, "William
Shakespeare”? blames being greedy for power and being greedy for every thing.
In order to become familiar with the opinion of "William Shakespeare”? about
"War”?, we review parts of "Coriolanus”? Play written by him. Parts of this
play have come in the followings:
"The second servant: This way, we achieve a fresh and new world. Peace is
useless; the peace time during which irons become rusted and tailors have hot
market. And singers are walking all around the places of the city.
The first servant: I prefer war; because it is really superior on peace. It is
just like the superiority of day on night. War makes people aware. War is alive
and war is full of blessings. War has a new thing at any moment of it. Peace
brings heart attack and pause. Peace is sleep, laziness and being deaf and
empty of feelings. More than the destruction that "War”? causes for human,
peace causes birth of bastards.
The second servant: It is absolutely right. It is just like the fact that we
can consider "War”? as an essential crime. Without doubt we should say that
peace causes people to behave in immoral ways.
The first servant: Yes, "War”? makes people to hate each other.
The second servant: And why? That is because these people are in less need with
each other compared to past. "War”? is my man.”?
From this point of view, we observe a special view about war and noticing it.
Being lazy and having no determination are the things that bother "William
Shakespeare”? and cause him to blame it.
"William Shakespeare”? describes these manners as the signs of weakness of
human and condemns it. "Hamlet”? is the most famous and outstanding work
written by "William Shakespeare”?. In this play, "William Shakespeare”?
severely criticizes these stopping and preventative manners. Although "War”? is
considered as a pale and marginal element in the Play "Hamlet”? but it is
considered as the most excellent motive of the Young Hamlet.
The Play "Hamlet”? starts with an atmosphere of preparation for "War”? from the
first act and the first words that are said on the stage. It starts with words
such as "night”?, "Name of Night”?, "Guardianship”?, "Making guns”? and
announcement of occurrence of war between Denmark and Norway. All of these
words and elements take our minds to "War”?. The young "Fotinberas”? is the
main element of "war”?. He intends to attack to Denmark due to taking revenge
of his dead father. But the main speech of the play is another thing. That is
why "William Shakespeare”? stops war through a letter written by "Cladius”? -
the new king of Denmark - with the grand father of the young "Fotinberas”?.
But "William Shakespeare”? does not omit "War”? from this play in a complete way.
Parallel with the important events that happen in the play of "Hamlet”?,
"William Shakespeare”? forces "Fotinberas”? to carry out a real action and get
control of a very small land - as small as a nut skin which does not have even
enough place for burying dead soldiers and people of war. In this play,
"Fotinberas”? becomes the element of encouraging the young "Hamlet”? for
carrying out practical and real actions. And the young "Hamlet”? whispers with
him in his beautiful monologue after he meets with Captain Fotinberas. He
whispers with him: "Oh my hands become bloody since now!”?
The "Hamlet”? starts his practical and real actions in fighting with
"Claudius”?, the murderer and the people who helped him in this murder.
"William Shakespeare”? has decorated and finished this play of him with the
shooting of cannon. This way, "William Shakespeare”? describes "War”? as the
element of moving and prevention of stopping from another point of view. In
this play, "William Shakespeare”? describes "War”? as an undeniable phenomenon.
Due to limited time for writing this article, we pass through the Renaissance
Time and review the plays and theatres which have been produced in the time
between the two great World Wars. In this respect, we review the idea that
existed in few of plays written by "Bertolt Brecht”?.
1 - 3 - Influence of World War I and World War II on Bertolt Brecht’s Plays
From philosophical point of view, the current century is very terrible and
fearful. The definition that is presented about "Human”? and the perspective
that is presented before human in the materialistic philosophies are terrible.
In the 20th century, spirituality ahs died in West (Fredrich Wilhelm Nietzsche)
and human is a creature that has been developed through monkeys (Charles Robert
Darwin). And according to "Freud”?, the characteristic of human is made by his
inner sexual motive. Human lives in the world in which there is no logic base
ruling and all of its phenomena and events are relative (Albert Einstein) and
the biggest issue for human is production and distribution of wealth (Karl
Heinrich Marx) … such a creature is not the superior of creatures of the world
and has no relationship with God. This type of described human does not obey
any kind of moral bases. And at any moment, a world destructive war may occur
willingly or unwillingly and destroys the earth and the people of the earth at
once.”?
Doubt, pessimism and nihilism had shadowed on the thoughts and ideas of western
intellectuals and open minded people so that they considered and described life
as a thing without value and even as a bitter funny phenomenon.
Creation and formation of "battle Field”? Theatre was one of the influences of
these two important world wars. "Battle Field”? Theatre was formed since the
time that Austria was conquered by the French Army.
"When the French Army conquered "Proos”? and "Austria”? in 1792, they had
brought theatre groups to the battle fields with them too. The theatre of these
groups was called "Battle Field Theatre”?. These theatre groups performed very
enthusiastically the play of brigands more than any other types of plays.”?
A newly born "Realism”? was formed in Germany. This "realism”? caused increase
of using war and military equipments on the theatre stages in order to encourage
people to welcome these theatres and attend in these theatre halls. Managers of
theatres got help from military garrisons in order to perform their plays. It
has been even said that eighty people from a garrison were brought on the stage
in order to have an army for performing a theatre.
1 - 1 - 3 - Bertolt Brecht, Anti - War Play Writer
"Bertolt Brecht”? was opposed to pro - emotional theatre. We can refer to
propagation tricks of "German’s National Socialist”? Party as the main reason
that "Bertolt Brecht”? was against the pro emotional theatre. As for the main
elements that caused "Bertolt Brecht”? to be against pro emotional theatre; we
can refer to the hot lectures delivered by "Hitler”? that bombarded emotions
and feelings of ordinary people and burned the fire of war by relying on the
forces of German Army which was formed of the same mentioned ordinary people.
"Bertolt Brecht”? considers and describes "War”? as a business in the Play
"Mother Courage and Her Children”?. In this play, "Koraz”? (Mother) is the
representative of business people who start war in order to fill their pockets
with money; but at the same time, she is a victim too; the victim of profit
seeking and power seeking.
IN THE Play "the Trial of Lucullus”?, "Bertolt Brecht”? condemns "War”? too. In
this play, he clearly identifies that by condemning "War”?, he means a
plundering war not all types of wars.
That shy and thin man who is speaking with accent of the southern people as
"Foinchtwanger”?, the German writer has said, is the same thinker who develops
a great anger inside him despite being loved in his personal relationships.
Based on what is narrated about the life of "Bertolt Brecht”?, he was not
according and coordinated with the formal propagation of the government about
the World War I since he was a child. He always complained abo0ut it. That is
why he did not accept the claim of sacrificing life in the way of home land in
his school comporsition that was under the title of "Death in the Way of Home
Land”? and has been ordered by the teacher in order to propagate "Death in the
Way of Holy Objective”?. And it was opposite what was expected from him in his
composition. In that composition, "Bertolt Brecht”? wrote as the following:
"… It is not a thing except a worthless propagation. Saying goodbye to life is
always difficult.”?
Although this school composition caused troubles for "Bertolt Brecht”? but he
still insisted on his ideas and continued thinking in that way.
Social situations and occurrence of a world wide great event - it means war -
left a great influence on forming character of this thinker who was only 16
years old at that time.
"Bertolt Brecht”? was born at the end of the last century. He was only 16 years
old when the World War I started in 1914. at that time, the young "Bertolt
Brecht”? was the son of a rich factory owner. He was growing in wealth and
comfort. He was educating in "Oxburg”? High School at that time. It was the
time that he said his first poems. He entered the faculty of Medical Sciences in
1917. It was only one year passed since he entered the faculty of Medical
Sciences when he was dispatched to the battle fields. He was greatly influenced
by the scenes he saw by his eyes in the battle fields. "Bertolt Brecht”? felt
sort of shy when he saw that much poverty and chaos after war. The poems that
"Bertolt Brecht”? said during that period of time show that much sadness and
shy. The upset conscience of "Bertolt Brecht”? for a long time was a deep
element that caused change of "Bertolt Brecht”? Theatre.
In "Peliad”? Encyclopedia, we read that "Comedy is the human of human”? (1927)
that the soldiers of Britain Army show in India and it is a new phase in his
change process.”?
"Bertolt Brecht”? had a son who was named "Frank”?. He lost his life in the
war: "Frank, the son of "Bertolt Brecht”? who was employed in "Ausbourg”?
business center became a member of regiment in order to be trained as a
parachutist. After passing the training course between the years 1940 and 1942,
he was employed to participate in the aerial fight against Britain. On
September 2nd 1943, he was transferred to the battle field in the east of the
country when he was injured. And he lost his life due to aerial bombardment on
November 13th, 1943. He was buried in "Juachov”? Cemetery then.”?
"Bertolt Brecht”? had severe anti - war position. In a piece of poem, "Bertolt
Brecht”? has written about war as the following:
"And since war did not show a perspective of peace
In the fifth spring of war
The soldier made his decision
And died like a champion”?
"Bertolt Brecht”? was opposed to the World War. And it is stated and confirmed
by the whole people who studied "Bertolt Brecht”? and his plays. In this
respect, "Bertolt Brecht”? has said: "War shows a kind of strange character.
And war teaches human – it is better to say – war explains its economic
objectives in a very clear way. It means that war merely seeks help from
financial issues. It speaks about sanction in order to expand dominance on
markets. By providing war equipments, it reduces the raw materials. And the
ideological secrecy has become so weak that only violence steps into the field
in order to achieve real progress.
"Bertolt Brecht”? was born at the end of the last century. He was only 16 years
old when the World War I started in 1914. at that time, the young "Bertolt
Brecht”? was the son of a rich factory owner. He was growing in wealth and
comfort. He was educating in "Oxburg”? High School at that time. It was the
time that he said his first poems. He entered the faculty of Medical Sciences
in 1917. It was only one year passed since he entered the faculty of Medical
Sciences when he was dispatched to the battle fields. He was greatly influenced
by the scenes he saw by his eyes in the battle fields. "Bertolt Brecht”? felt
sort of shy when he saw that much poverty and chaos after war. The poems that
"Bertolt Brecht”? said during that period of time show that much sadness and
shy. The upset conscience of "Bertolt Brecht”? for a long time was a deep
element that caused change of "Bertolt Brecht”? Theatre.
In "Peliad”? Encyclopedia, we read that "Comedy is the human of human”? (1927)
that the soldiers of Britain Army show in India and it is a new phase in his
change process.”?
"Bertolt Brecht”? had a son who was named "Frank”?. He lost his life in the
war: "Frank, the son of "Bertolt Brecht”? who was employed in "Ausburg”?
business center became a member of regiment in order to be trained as a
parachutist. After passing the training course between the years 1940 and 1942,
he was employed to participate in the aerial fight against Britain. On
September 2nd 1943, he was transferred to the battle field in the east of the
country when he was injured. And he lost his life due to aerial bombardment on
November 13th, 1943. He was buried in "Juachov”? Cemetery then.”?
"Bertolt Brecht”? had severe anti - war position.
In another piece of writing, "Bertolt Brecht”? has written as the following:
"Discovering this truth what truth should be said is not that easy. For
example, violent people parade on streets. In addition to that, every one knows
that the domestic war - that is started by the most terrible means - may change
into a foreign war since today to tomorrow. And it may leave nothing except
ruined place out of our continent.”?
The view of "Bertolt Brecht”? about "War”? is a special type of view. He blames
the World War that had been formed based on the greed of "Hitler”? and relied
on the greed of earning wealth by the western rich people. ""Bertolt Brecht”?
spoke about the reality that war is a kind of business for business men and
death and misery for the ordinary and miserable people.”?
In the contrary, "Bertolt Brecht”? denies being inattentiveness about cruelty
and no uprising against the cruelty. "The biggest misery of human is losing
dare for uprising against the cruelty; the moments that you spend in the dark
prison and you suddenly see that the cruelty does not cause you to revolt any
more are very bad moments.”?
As for "War”?, "Bertolt Brecht”? has written in another piece of writing as the
following:
"War does not merely bring suffering with it as a souvenir; but war has lack of
capabilities along with it too. It is for the reason that we learn from them.”?
He complained about the situation that ruled on the Hitler Germany. He has explained
his complaint about the irresponsible art as the following: "The destructive
and unrestrained literature absolutely shows the unrestrained society of
west.”?
"Bertolt Brecht”? is aware of the difference between the wars that are for
defending honor and the wars that are started due to greed for getting wealth:
"Is the intention to leave and forget the pieties and moralities? No, it is
intended that piety and morality are not the only things that are practical and
functional in a bad society. We must take the root of badness in order that
human is not captive and is not changed into the means and equipments of war.
Wisdom should not bring misery with it. And telling the truth should not be
considered as sin. And the honesty should not cause death of people.”?
The Play "Drums in the Night”? - that was performed in Munich in 1922 and was
highly welcomed by the audiences - is the reflection of revolt of "Bertolt
Brecht”? against the war that the western rulers imposed on the world via
Hitler.
"The return of a soldier who is considered as a dead person and after a period
of time of grief for him, they have not naturally considered any right for him.
He sees his fiancée beside another man. He revolts against the ungrateful and
blind society for a short time. But he returns from the way immediately after
finding his fiancée. He returns to build his home in a place that walls of life
of human is destroyed by a wind. He decides to stay alive.”?
In the Play "Baal”?, "Bertolt Brecht”? has written bout a lazy mechanic and
unrestrained poet who sings and plays guitar in bars. Although he is bon vivant
and has no particular plan for his life but he is alone. And this feeling of
loneliness never leaves him. By writing the Play "Baal”?, "Bertolt Brecht”?
shouts his humiliating scream on his society.
In this play, "Bertolt Brecht”? has spoken about the distinctive power which
does not know any limitation: "A poetic violence against the cruel and enemy -
like world. Pessimism and unrestraint of this work reflects the chaotic life
during the post - war time.”?
"Bertolt Brecht”? complains the unlimited and unconditional movements of
fascism. How could a thinker like "Bertolt Brecht”? keep silence against the
unlimited suppression of intellectuals and open - minded people?
"Approximately two thousand writers were confined and approximately one
thousand and five hundred people did not remain alive. These people died in
obligatory labor camps and prisons.”?
In an article under the title of "Misery is a bad teacher”? - which was
published in 1954 - "Bertolt Brecht”? has written about war as the following:
"War does not merely bring misery with it; but war brings lack of capabilities
with it and we should learn from them.”?
"Bertolt Brecht”? found out the danger of existence of the Nazis for him and
other thinkers - who were opposed the Nazis and the war - more seriously in
1933. He felt this unsafe situation since the time that the parliament of
Germany was put into fire on February 27th, 1933. Hitler had issued the command
for putting fire on the Germany parliament. At that time, "Bertolt Brecht”?
found out that his home land could not be a safe place for him any more.
The next day, "Bertolt Brecht”? along with his wife and a number of his friends
left Germany for Switzerland. On the tenth day of the same year, all copies of
"Bertolt Brecht”? works were put into fire in front of the City Opera Hall.”?
The situation that ruled on Germany at that period of time caused "Bertolt
Brecht”? to clarify people’s minds and give information to them by getting help
from his thought and pen. "Bertolt Brecht”? aimed at giving information to the
audiences. He believed that art should be able to give information to the
audiences about the society where the audiences live in; unless art can not do
any thing.
"If there are people that knowing their miseries and difficulties merely make
them hopeless and look for mottos and orders, then the artist can not do any
thing for them. The audience [Person] who considers "War”? and "captivity”? as
an undeniable destiny by watching the Play "Mother Courage and Her Children”?
and is waiting that Mother Courage appears and shows his a way has lost his
freedom of thinking and power of making decision and determination in a way.
Artist should blow spirit in this freedom and determination and make them
alive. The artist should not influence on the audience in other way or method.
If the artist is supposed to show a way in any situation and by using any
tricks what will be left for freedom, innovation and thinking of the
audience?”?
In order to make his audiences to think and emphasize on the behaviors that
have become normal for him, "Bertolt Brecht”? uses allegory and legends in
order that the audience is surprised by the events that have become ordinary
and normal among him. "Change of ordinary German person into the means and
equipments of war and murder by Hitler appeared normal for the people of
Germany.
The people of Germany had got used to it little by little so that no event was
surprising for them. But it seemd strange for them that "Gali Gi”?, the Irish
merchant changed into a blood thirsty soldier of Britain Army in the border of
Tibet. And it could open the eyes of the audiences to the terrible daily
habits. In addition to that, this method gave the opportunity to "Bertolt
Brecht”? that he mixes poem with reality in the most pleasant way.
The influence of the two World Wars has been known in appearance of "Absurd”?
Art. But it is a reality that "Epic”? Theatre was formed during the World war
while "Nihilism”? was formed after the war and was added to the previous
schools of theatre. "Epic”? style of theatre was recorded with the name of
"Bertolt Brecht”?. "Bertolt Brecht”? was injured and damaged by war. He spent
most of his life time during the years of war that was recorded under the name
of "Hitler”?.
"Bertolt Brecht”? left a heritage for people by which he influences on thoughts
of people by complaining to war and revolt against it. This way, he wanted to
leave a heritage that would be an alert for the people who were willing to war.
He wanted these people interested in war do not show interest in war any more
and do not cause the global society to move towards killing, destruction and
elimination of humanitarian values. From this point of view, "Epic”? Theatre
reaches to a common point with the Absurd Art.
"If there are people that knowing their miseries and difficulties merely make
them hopeless and look for mottos and orders, then the artist can not do any
thing for them. The audience [Person] who considers "War”? and "captivity”? as
an undeniable destiny by watching the Play "Mother Courage and Her Children”?
and is waiting that Mother Courage appears and shows his a way has lost his
freedom of thinking and power of making decision and determination in a way.
Artist should blow spirit in this freedom and determination and make them
alive. The artist should not influence on the audience in other way or method.
If the artist is supposed to show a way in any situation and by using any
tricks what will be left for freedom, innovation and thinking of the
audience?”?
In contrary to what some people understand about the Absurd Art, this school of
art does not speak about nihilism of life; but - by attaching no value to
selfish imperfection of people - the Absurd Art emphasizes on the point that
"there are still leaves remained on the tree.”?
Therefore, there is still hope and we should be hopeful.
1 - 2 - 3 - The Play "The Caucasian Chalk Circle”?
"The Caucasian Chalk circle”? is the name of another play written by "Bertolt
Brecht”? which is about war, homelessness and wandering. The story of this play
goes back to occurrence of war in one of the cities in Caucasus.
The wife of the ruler of the region - who merely thinks about saving her life
when running away from the fight region - forgets her little child and leaves
the child there. "Groche”?, the servant of the ruler’s kitchen takes Michel out
of the city and takes care of him in order that he is not arrested by the
soldiers. Stay of "Groche”? with the child in his brother’s house causes rumors
and accusations that cause a large number of problems for "Groche”?.
A part of story of story of this play is the story of life of "Bertolt
Brecht”?.
Barbara”?, the two - year old daughter of "Bertolt Brecht”? was suddenly in
danger of being taken as a hostage. "Michel”? is actually the same "Barbara”?.
"Barbara”? was saved by a British worker in a miraculous way. We can say that
the British worker is the same "Groche”? in this play. And then Helen Wigel
(The wife of "Bertolt Brecht”?) and "Barbara return to "Bertolt Brecht”?.
During the years of World War I and World War II, there was a severe fight
between the two sectors of rich people and poor people in Germany.
The Play of "The Caucasian Chalk circle”? was written between the years 1944
and 1945. During occurrence of the events of the play, we witness administering
justice (From its special kind). And it is the same piety and morality that
"Bertolt Brecht”? seeks in all of his plays.
The fight between deprived sectors of the society and the rich sectors of the
society is obviously observable in the whole play; the fight that has
influenced not only on foreign wars but also on domestic war. This play written
by "Bertolt Brecht”? does not have a political nature; but it benefits from a
kind of general humanism.
The Play "The Caucasian Chalk Circle”? has been written about "Woman”?; women
like "Mother”? in the role of "Plagger Passora”? who has acted like a man and
forgot womanly properties like feeling compassion and pity for death of their
children and …. These women claim that they should not be weak in order to
fight and enter the world of men; but they should fight and fight.
This play also announces that there are many children who were separated from
their real mothers and or were killed or even taken to other borders. The
characters in this play suffer from disharmony between logic and emotions. As
for this play, "Root Berlav”? has said: "Days are coming in which only people
with torn clothes are safe. The poor child should be afraid of hunger and the
rich child should be afraid of the hungry people. "Groche”? has to take off the
clothes of "Michel”? that are luxurious in order that this child is not known.
Human is afraid of changes of upper class people.”?
Self sacrifice of women for protecting pieties and moralities during occurrence
of war is another interesting point. "Groche”? not only offers refuge to the
child but also "groche”? carries out many activities in order to save the
child’s life. As for these activities, we can refer to breaking head of a
soldier. This is an action that may cost his life. "Groche”? also sings
lullabies for the child that is one of the ancient German poems. It shows the
attention of "Bertolt Brecht”? to the deep values of his country that have
roots in past.
1 - 3 - 3 - "Mother Courage and Her Children”?
The Play "Mother Courage and Her Children”? has been written by "Bertolt
Brecht”? in 1938. This play is about destructive effects of war on the
behaviors of humans. This play is a tragedy about a "Woman, Mother and Business
Woman”?. At the beginning of the play, a woman enters the stage on a cart that
is pulled by "Iliv”? and "Schwitzerkar”?. They are her two sons. The woman has
been called as "mother Courage”? during the war. She intends to prevent her
sons to join the military service. And she intends to take advantage of war for
the profit of her, her two sons and her dumb daughter whose name is
"Catherine”?.
She buys the goods of people who are running away of war with low prices. Then
she sells these goods to others, especially military forces with expensive
price. Despite her efforts for preventing her sons to join military service,
her older son, "Iliv”? is cheated by the corporal and joins the soldiers. Three
years later, her second son "Schwitzerkar”? joins the fighter Protestants.
In continuation of the story, "Catherine”?, her daughter starts to help people
and children harmed by the war. "Iliv”? was accused by "Fernando”? and people
and sentenced to death. "Schwitzerkar”? was arrested by the Catholic forces.
The mother paid a little money to the catholic forces in order to save her
son’s life. But it did not save him. Then, he was killed too. And finally,
"Mother Courage”? and "Catherine”? go to the village. And in continuation of
the story, "mother Courage”? goes to the city and "Catherine”? stays in the
village. She helps people of the village and plays drum and tries to sing
different poems. She mostly sings war songs. "Mother Courage”? faces with her
daughter’s de3ad body when she returns to the village. Then she sings lullabies
for her daughter and pulls her cart by her own. She goes to continue her
business.
"Mother Courage”? is the representative of all humiliated people who do not
know and do not have enough information about war. And the very little profit
that is gained through war or the equipments of war make them very satisfied
and happy.
But in fact, they witness the death of their children and destruction of their
country. As a matter of fact, the character of "Mother Courage”? is an anti -
piety character. It means that she is aware in one way. And by starting war,
she increases her wealth and profit. But from the other side, she has to lose
her children unwillingly in the way of getting materialistic profits.
""Bertolt Brecht”? believed that the audiences will get angry by watching the
Play "mother Courage and Her children”?; but in contrary to that, the audiences
felt sympathy with "Motehr Courage”? in this play. The audiences laughed with
her and cried with her. "Bertolt Brecht”? got angry and tries to make changes
in his play.”?
"Bertolt Brecht”? did not merely intend to show the effect of war on the life
of poor and miserable people in the Play "Mother Courage and Her Children”?;
but he has made his efforts to say how "War”? changes people in the way that is
not considered as piety any more. "Bertolt Brecht”? intended to show how people
play basic role in identifying their destiny.
By writing and performing this play, maybe "Bertolt Brecht”? intended to give
the hope to the audiences that "you can choose your way freely”?. This is the
same theory that "Bertolt Brecht”? expresses in his "Epic”? Theatre. In this
play, death and life are placed opposite each other. A large number of people
are killed in the war; but life still goes on.
In this play, "Bertolt Brecht”? also pays attention to the fact that being man
or woman, being in what range of age and being in different economic and social
situation do not matter when the war happens. In any situation that a person
is, he or she can fight for defending what he or she wants.
As another important point; I can refer to the attention of "Bertolt Brecht”?
to the higher price that women pay compared to men when the war starts. There
are many girls who are kidnapped or imprisoned during the war. And there are
many women who are raped during the war. Meanwhile, there are many girls who
throw them into wells in order escape from being raped. And there are many
women who witness losing their children and husbands and men.
Women in the plays written by "Bertolt Brecht”? are ordinary and normal people
who get involved in the war unwillingly. But many of them like the character of
"mother”? in the Play "mother Courage and Her Children”? lose and forget their
womanly characteristics during passing of time such that this mother does not
cry in front of her children when her children are dead. She does not feel pity
for her children and does not show weakness. Some of the characters of "Bertolt
Brecht”? plays such as "Simone”? in the Play "The Visions of Simone Machard”?
show more courage. They destroy the walls that have been built for inspection.
As a matter of fact; women’s duties are not limited to cooking and taking care
of children and farming in the farm during the war; but women of war time fight
by using their ideas, beliefs and actions. There may be some people who do not
use guns; but they fight using their womanly tricks and characteristics in
order to obtain what they want to get.
1 - 4 - 3 - The Play "The Mother”?
The play "The Mother”? has been written by "Bertolt Brecht”? during the eyars
1930 and 1932. This play is an adaptation of the Novel "The Mother”? written by
"Maxim Gorky”?.
In this play; "Plage Avlasoda”? is the mother of a worker whose name is
"Paul”?. She lives in Russia in the worst economic situation and is very poor.
The mother is worried that her son is absorbed by "Labor Movement”?. And she is
worried that this action of her son causes him to lose his job. Then she finds
out that the friends of her son come to their house in order to write and
distribute announcements. When she finds out that her son is responsible for
distributing announcements, she insists to put the announcements in her food
basket and distributes them among workers.
In contrary to the imagination of the mother, the demonstration ends with blood
and killing people by the police officers. The mother - who has participated in
the demonstration along with other families - takes the flag that has fallen on
the ground. She promises one of the workers - who have been shot by bullet - to
hold the flag.
"Paul”? is arrested and the mother goes to the house of a teacher via friends
of "Paul”?. The teacher does not know any thing about politics and does not
want to be involved in political issues and activities. The mother learns
writing and reading the words that she needs. By teaching to the neighbors, the
house of the teacher changes into a political center. And finally, the teacher
joins the revolutionary people under the influence of the mother. Then, the
teacher pulls down the picture of "Czar”? that was on the wall of teacher’s
home.
Now, the mother acts like one of the leaders of "Labor Movement”?. "Paul”?
intends to run away from prison and go to Finland; but he was arrested and was
executed by a fire squad. The mother is determined to continue her political
activities. And she did not give up even by start of war. She starts to provide
people with information about this movement.
The preliminary presence of the mother in the fight is not an aware presence.
First, she started fighting because of saving her son’s life and her home; but
after passing time, her position from an emotional and illiterate woman changes
into an aware woman who knows what she wants. As Dr "Ote Erhart”? has said in
his book "Womanly methods mostly function better and slower than manly
methods.”?
The mother tries to forget blindly imitation and step into the action phase by
gaining information and knowledge. At the beginning, saving her son’s life was
the most important issue for her. Then she tries to change her. And by getting
good and better, she achieves a kind of self confidence.
Since then, she gains the required and necessary capability for an independent
organizing in order to fight. And it is the thing that was meant by "Bertolt
Brecht”?. "Bertolt Brecht”? believes that people benefit from necessary
capacity for being changed in a high level. But it depends on the fact that
these people show the necessary and required readiness and step into the phase
of action. In the first act of the Play "The Mother”?, we read that "Paul”?
says: "Speak more slowly please! It is better that my mother does not hear us
speaking. I have not told her any thing yet. She is not young any more. She is
not useful for any activity any more.”?
In this play; "Plage Avlasoda”? is the mother of a worker whose name is
"Paul”?. She lives in Russia in the worst economic situation and is very poor.
The mother is worried that her son is absorbed by "Labor Movement”?. And she is
worried that this action of her son causes him to lose his job. Then she finds
out that the friends of her son come to their house in order to write and
distribute announcements. When she finds out that her son is responsible for
distributing announcements, she insists to put the announcements in her food
basket and distributes them among workers.
In contrary to the imagination of the mother, the demonstration ends with blood
and killing people by the police officers. The mother - who has participated in
the demonstration along with other families - takes the flag that has fallen on
the ground. She promises one of the workers - who have been shot by bullet - to
hold the flag.
"Paul”? is arrested and the mother goes to the house of a teacher via friends
of "Paul”?. The teacher does not know any thing about politics and does not
want to be involved in political issues and activities. The mother learns
writing and reading the words that she needs. By teaching to the neighbors, the
house of the teacher changes into a political center. And finally, the teacher
joins the revolutionary people under the influence of the mother. Then, the
teacher pulls down the picture of "Czar”? that was on the wall of teacher’s
home.
Now, the mother acts like one of the leaders of "Labor Movement”?. "Paul”?
intends to run away from prison and go to Finland; but he was arrested and was
executed by a fire squad. The mother is determined to continue her political
activities. And she did not give up even by start of war. She starts to provide
people with information about this movement.
The preliminary presence of the mother in the fight is not an aware presence.
First, she started fighting because of saving her son’s life and her home; but
after passing time, her position from an emotional and illiterate woman changes
into an aware woman who knows what she wants. As Dr "Ote Erhart”? has said in
his book "Womanly methods mostly function better and slower than manly
methods.”?
The mother tries to forget blindly imitation and step into the action phase by
gaining information and knowledge. At the beginning, saving her son’s life was
the most important issue for her. Then she tries to change her. And by getting
good and better, she achieves a kind of self confidence.
Since then, she gains the required and necessary capability for an independent
organizing in order to fight. And it is the thing that was meant by "Bertolt
Brecht”?. "Bertolt Brecht”? believes that people benefit from necessary
capacity for being changed in a high level. But it depends on the fact that
these people show the necessary and required readiness and step into the phase
of action. In the first act of the Play "The Mother”?, we read that "Paul”?
says: "Speak more slowly please! It is better that my mother does not hear us
speaking. I have not told her any thing yet. She is not young any more. She is
not useful for any activity any more.”?
But at the end of this play and due to the deep changes that the mother has
accepted, we see her in a situation higher than "Paul”? and his friends.
1 - 5 - 3 - The Play "Senora Carrar’s Rifles”?
The Play "Senora Carrar’s rifles”? has been written in 1937. Ithis play is the
story of a Spanish woman whose name is "Carrar”?. She has lost her husband in
the domestic wars of Spain. She lives with her two sons "Joan”? and "Jose”? in
poverty. "Carrar”? is determined to keep her sons for her with any price. She
does not let her sons to join the revolutionary and rebellious people. She
considers her as a neutral person. She says: "General Franco (One of the
military dictators of Spain) and his companions do not bother the people who do
not fight against him.”?
"Carrar”? has hidden the rifle of her husband at her home. She does not give
that rifle to any person.
Even at the night when the port people have gathered to dispatch their young
sons to the battle fields, she sends her older son "Joan”? for fishing. This
way, she wanted her older son not to know about this gathering. Finally and
after occurrence of many events, the women of the village bring the dead body
of "Joan”?. It was while "Carrar”? still resisted and was not ready to give her
rifle. When "Carrar”? sees that her son - who had gone only for fishing and did
not carry a gun for fighting - was killed, she decides to take the rifle and go
to the battle fields with the "Father”? and "Jose”?.
This play was written when "Bertolt Brecht”? was in exile and the domestic wars
of Spain had recently begun. In this play, "Bertolt Brecht”? again attaches
special importance to the role of woman and being mother. All the basic effort
of "Carrar”? is keeping her sons away from the danger of war and death. Then
she announces to be neutral in this war. It is while according to "Bertolt
Brecht”?, it is an immature idea and imagination to announce being neutral in a
war. And every one is involved in the war willingly or unwillingly when the war
begins. That is the reason of why "Senora Carrar”? takes the rifle at the end
of the play and rushes to the battle field.
"Bertolt Brecht”? might have blamed him for leaving his home land and letting
the fighters to fight in it. He might feel that he had become empty of
necessary piety and honesty. In a general view, we can say that considering the
materialistic views of "Bertolt Brecht”?, he finally noticed and focused on
pieties and humanitarian emotions. He actually intended to revive these
emotions, pieties and values.
When writing about these pieties and speaking about worry about elimination of
these values at the time of occurrence of war, "Bertolt Brecht”? takes an anti
- war position and condemned the side effects of war like many other people who
have written works and plays about war.
But we can find a common point in the works and plays of "Bertolt Brecht”? and
other writers who did not deny the spirit of fighting and battle. And the point
is the fact that despite all badness and side effects of war it means people
who are killed and the countries and lands which are destroyed and the
humanitarian values which are eliminated, "War”? is undeniable when it is
related to gaining rights of people. And people should make efforts to gain
their lost rights by participating in "War”?.
The main attack of "Bertolt Brecht”? is towards the powerful state men and
governments that start war in the world; the powers that eliminate humanitarian
and cultural values of the human society based on their economic greed.
Even at the night when the port people have gathered to dispatch their young
sons to the battle fields, she sends her older son "Joan”? for fishing. This
way, she wanted her older son not to know about this gathering. Finally and
after occurrence of many events, the women of the village bring the dead body
of "Joan”?. It was while "Carrar”? still resisted and was not ready to give her
rifle. When "Carrar”? sees that her son - who had gone only for fishing and did
not carry a gun for fighting - was killed, she decides to take the rifle and go
to the battle fields with the "Father”? and "Jose”?.
This play was written when "Bertolt Brecht”? was in exile and the domestic wars
of Spain had recently begun. In this play, "Bertolt Brecht”? again attaches
special importance to the role of woman and being mother. All the basic effort
of "Carrar”? is keeping her sons away from the danger of war and death. Then
she announces to be neutral in this war. It is while according to "Bertolt
Brecht”?, it is an immature idea and imagination to announce being neutral in a
war. And every one is involved in the war willingly or unwillingly when the war
begins. That is the reason of why "Senora Carrar”? takes the rifle at the end
of the play and rushes to the battle field.
"Bertolt Brecht”? might have blamed him for leaving his home land and letting
the fighters to fight in it. He might feel that he had become empty of
necessary piety and honesty. In a general view, we can say that considering the
materialistic views of "Bertolt Brecht”?, he finally noticed and focused on
pieties and humanitarian emotions. He actually intended to revive these
emotions, pieties and values.
When writing about these pieties and speaking about worry about elimination of
these values at the time of occurrence of war, "Bertolt Brecht”? takes an anti
- war position and condemned the side effects of war like many other people who
have written works and plays about war.
But we can find a common point in the works and plays of "Bertolt Brecht”? and
other writers who did not deny the spirit of fighting and battle. And the point
is the fact that despite all badness and side effects of war it means people
who are killed and the countries and lands which are destroyed and the
humanitarian values which are eliminated, "War”? is undeniable when it is
related to gaining rights of people. And people should make efforts to gain
their lost rights by participating in "War”?.
The main attack of "Bertolt Brecht”? is towards the powerful state men and
governments that start war in the world; the powers that eliminate humanitarian
and cultural values of the human society based on their economic greed.
Considering the fact that any of plays of "Bertolt Brecht”? is related to one
country, we can come to the result that in the point of view of "Bertolt
Brecht”?, a destructive war is not limited to a limited time and of a
particular country like Germany; but it may happen in different periods of time
and in any part of the world. Then people of those countries are involved in
this war.
Besides, fight of people from any races, either white or black or any other
races indicate the important point that freedom from cruelty is not limited to
the people of a particular country or a particular religion and race; but it is
a global issue that every one seeks it [Freedom].
"Bertolt Brecht”? emphasizes on improvement of changing people. Therefore, we
can observe presence of people in his plays that were not aware at the
beginning. They were just ordinary people; but in their developing and
improving path, they changed into moving and believer people in order to be
able to be present in the battle fields. These characters achieved to high and
suitable positions.
Champions in the plays written by "Bertolt Brecht”? are ordinary and normal
people at the beginning of the play; but they change into a special and great
person due to the situation in which they live. This change can be seen both in
special characters in his plays and during the play. This way, people have been
growing in the plays of "Bertolt Brecht”? and accept wonderful changes in their
character. Besides, "Bertolt Brecht”? always focused on studying pieties and
moralities in the characters of his plays.
Consequence:
In a general look at the plays which have been written in the world about
"War”?, we find out the fact that no writer has confirmed the nature of "War”?.
And basically, all of these writers have considered and desc