Why did Brecht move away from naturalism in creating his theatre?

VERIFIED

Nik Jovčić-Sas

LGBTQ+ activist, Writer & Theologian

It’s all to do with how Brecht’s purpose with theatre. Brecht was a Marxist who believed theatre could inspire people to change the world. His idea of “Epic Theatre” proposed that a play should not cause the spectator to identify emotionally with the characters or action before him or her, but should instead provoke rational self-reflection and a critical view of the action on the stage. By doing this he wanted his audiences to adopt a critical perspective in order to recognise social injustice and exploitation and to be moved to challenge it in the real world. He believed naturalism lulled pacified people, which was the opposite of his intention to call people to action.