Family Status:
He wrote the play in (1941) at the age of 43. He was married for the second time to Helena Wiegal and had two children with her (four altogether). His son died through fighting in Hitler’s army on the Russian front therefore this could have been the cause behind the hate and bitterness towards Hitler and the war. He had experience of the First World War and lived through Hitler’s rise to power.
Wealth/Fame:
By the time he had written “Arturo Ui” he was already established, and had worked his way up within society to develop into a famous playwright as his plays had been performed in Europe and America. Therefore although Arturo Ui was very contemptuous, it was considered “ok” because he was so well known. He gained a secure level of wealth through his plays being published and performed, however he was extremely sharp about everything he owned.
Living conditions: Brecht remained in Germany until 1933 as Hitler’s rise to power began, as he was desperate to avoid being imprisoned due to being an artist of the time. He moved to Denmark then Finland, the USSR and then to America. He very much enjoyed the lifestyle of the 1920’s and 30’s and was greatly influenced by the growing world of cinema and experienced Gangster films, which largely inspired him to write the play central to this idea set within the city of Chicago with a criminal that is idolised.
Politics:
He was a socialist and an anti nazi (Nationalist) Brecht didn’t agree with the heavy political ideas and nazi regimes of his time which. The play warns us against anybody with extreme viewpoints.
Economy of time: In 1929 the Wall street crash took place with the capitalist means of production; to gain significant profit. Germany was in a bad state, suffered from major Inflation, and owed huge reparations (60 million) to America who wanted all money back after the Wall Street crash. However following the “roaring twenty’s” which Brecht experienced, America sunk into massive economic depression and moral was extremely low. The play begins with talk of lack of money. Extremist can gain power in extreme economic conditions- as Ui does.
Cultural
Art:
Art was a huge part of the culture to influence Brecht, he wanted to be a working class hero. Brecht was influenced by Frank Wedenkind (who wrote Spring Awakening) He was a hedonist and people looked up to him. Brecht idealised this Expressionism, as it was a dominant style. He wanted to create characters that went against the establishment. At the time Brecht wrote Arturo Ui, the style is such that externalises the inside feelings of someone, and is largely un-subtle as Brecht’s work is. “Baal” was a non-conformer that achieved just what Brecht wanted; turning plays on their heads and bringing a shock factor exercising a huge change in the 1900’s.
Erwin Piscator influenced Brecht, and called his theatre Epic after Piscator. Showing the ways in which society is shaped by political and personal effects and interrelationships. Stanslavski also influenced Brecht, however he didn’t believe in realism within the theatre. He was also influenced by Elizabethan theatre, there are many allegories of Shakespeare’s plays in the plays written by Brecht. Japanese theatre became influential to Brecht as it is symbolic, and movements hold deeper meanings.
Technology: There was a large amount of technological advancement from the 19th century (purpose of warfare.) After the war there was a greater need for technological development especially in weaponry (musket advances to the machine gun) and clearly these are heavily used throughout the play. However the play’s vocal point isn’t meant to focus on the technology but about the economists.
Religion: Hitler used ideas of religion to manipulate his audiences (theories were fanatical) Hitler used religion to justify killing millions of people. Brecht rejected religion and did not think that Hitler’s justifications were moral.
General morals:
The general moral changed due to the war because it effects everyone and everything about peoples lives, feelings and emotions. People were willing to follow one person; Hitler. Using religion Hitler was able to change morals.
Historical:
Germany wasn’t a whole country until the 1830’s. William the 1st created Germany to become a unified country. Through the many severe events that took place and Germany plunging into economic depression the country was in desperate need to rebalance and regain power. This was partly due to pride. Brecht recognises this hunger and desperateness for some kind of stability and Hitler cleverly took advantage of that and offered a strong breakthrough to the German people. The play is writing about turbulent times and the way in which everything seemed to be changing. Brecht centred the main characters of the play around the main leaders of the time. For example the character of Ui is a clear portrayal of Hitler, and his gained respect and rising power. Founder of the Nazi’s in 1920 and chancellor of Germany in 1933.The character of Dogsborough reflects the field Marshall in WW1 (Hindenburg) who was the president of Germany from 1925-33. Brecht also shows the influence of historical, social and cultural factors by centring many of the key events on real happenings. An example of this is the night of the long knives which happened on the 30th June 1934 when Hitler ordered the execution of Rohm and other leaders of the brown shirts by members of the Nazi party.
It is hard to understand the contemporary meaning of the play 62 years later however the general feeling that the play is shocking is still present. I believe it would still be relevant to present day as there still are terrorists, gangsters and domineering leader’s high up within society that we could relate to the characters of the play.
