The resistible rise of Arturo Ui Essay Example

front during World War II which could have contributed to his hostility towards Hitler and the war. Having experienced both World War I and Hitler's rise to power.

Brecht gained fame as a playwright before crafting "Arturo Ui," which was accepted despite the character's disdainful nature because of Brecht's celebrity. While enjoying success through his publications and productions, Brecht guarded his possessions closely. As Hitler rose to power in Germany, Brecht remained there until 1933 out of fear of being imprisoned as an artist. He then relocated to Denmark, Finland, the USSR and eventually America.

Having been greatly influenced by the cinema and Gangster films of the 1920's and 30's, he found joy in the lifestyle of the era. The resulting play is set in Chicago and features a criminal who is idolized. Brecht was a socialist and an anti-Nazi who opposed extremist ideologies. The play serves as a warning against such viewpoints. Additionally, the 1929 Wall Street crash was a result of capitalist means of production being used to gain significant profit. This led to major inflation in Germany, as well as huge reparations owed to America, who demanded all money back after the crash.

Brecht, who had witnessed America's decline into a severe economic depression and widespread despair following the prosperity of the "roaring twenties," portrayed in the play how conversations about financial struggles can lead to extremist figures like Ui during extreme economic conditions. Brecht was deeply influenced by the influence of art on culture and aspired to be a hero for the working class.

Brecht drew inspiration from Frank Wedenkind, a celebrated hedonist and the author of Spring Awakening. He was particularly drawn

to Expressionism, which he sought to incorporate into his characterizations of those who challenged the status quo. In Arturo Ui, Brecht employed the then-prevalent technique of externalizing inner emotions, which often lacked nuance in his other works.

The successful play "Baal" exemplified Brecht's aim of subverting traditional plays and introducing a jarring element that produced significant change in the 1900s. Brecht drew inspiration from Erwin Piscator, who referred to his own approach as "epic theater." This method explored the various influences on society, including political and individual factors. While influenced by Stanislavski, Brecht diverged by refusing to adhere to realism in theater. Additionally, he frequently incorporated allusions to Shakespearean plays due to his interest in Elizabethan theater. He also turned to Japanese theater for inspiration because of its use of symbolism and how its movements carried deeper meaning.

Technology played a significant role in warfare starting from the 19th century, with a greater emphasis on weaponry development such as the advancement from muskets to machine guns. Although heavily used throughout the play, the focus is not meant to be on technology but on economists. On the other hand, Hitler utilized religious ideas to manipulate his audience with fanatical theories that he used to justify killing millions of people. Brecht rejected religion as a moral justification for Hitler's actions.

The impact of war on people's lives, emotions and feelings has led to changes in general morals, including the following of a single leader such as Hitler who used religion to manipulate beliefs. Additionally, it is worth noting that Germany did not become a unified country until the 1830s.

Germany was unified under William the 1st, but violent events and

economic depression caused a need for regaining balance and power. Pride played a part in this desperation. Brecht acknowledged the hunger for stability and Hitler exploited it by offering a strong solution. Brecht's play was written to depict these turbulent times of change, with main characters based on leaders of the era.

Brecht illustrates the influence of historical, social, and cultural factors in his play, particularly through key events based on real happenings. For instance, Ui's character portrays Hitler's gained respect and rising power as the founder of Nazis in 1920 and Germany's chancellor in 1933. Meanwhile, Dogsborough echoes WW1 field Marshall Hindenburg, who served as Germany's president from 1925-33. Brecht also depicts the night of the long knives that occurred on June 30, 1934, where Hitler ordered the execution of Rohm and other brown shirt leaders by members of the Nazi party.

Despite the passage of 62 years, the play remains difficult to comprehend in modern times, yet the audience still finds it shocking. The play’s relevance persists, as there are still individuals such as terrorists, gangsters, and authoritative leaders within society who resemble the characters.