THTRFLM 1T03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Gestus, Epic Theatre, A Short Organum For The Theatre
21 Oct 2014
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Brecht"s objection to aristotelian theatre was an objection to goethe"s and schiller"s interpretation of it an objection to: catharsis by terror and pity identification with the actors illusion the attempt to represent the present event. Brecht"s idea of epic is informed by the ideas of goethe and schiller regarding the mood and character of epic poetry this is a rational, calm detachment, to which brecht aspires as a playwright. This is theatre which merely gives an experience, mental refreshment as a meal is a bodily restorative. Brecht despises theatre which provides mental foodstuffs but makes no difference to audience. He believes that the audience should be made not to feel, but to think. (note that brecht supposes these two to be in opposition to each other but this need not be so: shakespeare at his best can challenge the head and the heart. )
