Mother Courage and Her Children - Bertolt Brecht

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Sarah Moore 12J                                                      

                “Mother Courage and Her Children” – Bertolt Brecht – Plot.

        “Mother Courage” is a play about a canteen woman who sells goods during the Thirty Years War (1613-48). She lives off of the war, but does not wish for her children to have anything to do with it. Her three children, Eilif, Swiss Cheese and Kattrin are fated to death during the first scene.

Scene one - Mother Courage is trying to put Eilif off of his temptations to join the army by pulling out black crosses signifying death for a soldier, she draws out a cross for each of her children too. This scene is in 1624, Sweden, during a truce in the Swedish- Polish war. The climax to the scene is when Eilif goes off with the soldiers, whilst Mother Courage is distracted.

This scene emphasises the beginning of Courage’s new business, the new war and the prospect of new times.

This scene has a sense of irony as Courage is only trying to put Eilif off of the army, but she in fact predicts his future, as well as that of her other children. All her fears for her children are actually justified.

Scene two- Starts with Mother Courage arguing with the cook over an over-priced capon outside of the General’s tent. It is now 1626 in Poland where the Swedes are besieging the Polish fortress of Wallhof. She overhears the General congratulating a soldier for his triumph over some peasants in the cause of “true religion” and realises it is her eldest son, Eilif. When she is reunited with him, she slaps him for risking his life with the peasants. Irony also appears in this scene because Eilif is doing well from killing the peasants, but as the play later reveals, this leads to his downfall.

Scene three - Three years later. It is in Poland. Swiss Cheese, Courage’s youngest son, whose stupidity she is afraid of, but counts on his honesty, has been made regimental paymaster. Business prospects seem good for Courage as the War is looking up. Yvette, the regimental prostitute, is moaning because her business is not looking so good. It has become known she has VD, so throws aside her hat and red boots. She sings the “Song of Fraternisation”, which describes her lifestyle and so on hearing this, Courage tells her daughter, Kattrin to let Yvette’s fate be a warning for her to have nothing to do with soldiers.

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A discussion occurs and Courage follows the conversation on by saying that the men at the top of the war are only in it for profit, just as she is. This highlights that she is in the war to make money, not because she believes in its cause. Meanwhile Kattrin has tried on Yvette’s red boots and hat and imitates her walk. Imperial forces (Catholics) suddenly burst in and take over the camp. There is havoc and people are concerned for their lives. This is seen when the Chaplain hides his faith. Yvette is excited about the new arrivals as ...

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