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We often do not know ourselves the grounds On which we act, though plain to others.

Bertolt Brecht

The alienation effect in German epic theater is achieved not only through the actors, but also through music (chorus and song) andsets (transparencies, film strips, etc.). Its main purpose is to place the staged events in their historical context.
BERTOLT BRECHT

Art Epic Film History Purpose Song
When crimes begin to pile up they become invisible. When sufferings become unendurable the cries are no longer heard. The cries, too, fall like rain in summer.
BERTOLT BRECHT

Fall Rain Summer
It is not enough to demand insight and informative images of reality from the theater. Our theater must stimulate a desire for understanding, a delight in changing reality.
BERTOLT BRECHT

Art Discovery Reality
Sin is what is new, strong, surprising, strange. The theatre must take an interest in sin if the young are to be able to go there.
BERTOLT BRECHT

Able Strong Theatre
Art and science coincide insofar as both aim to improve the lives of men and women.
BERTOLT BRECHT

Art Fashion Mean
Who struggles can fail. Who doesn’t struggle has already failed!
BERTOLT BRECHT

Diversity Justice Struggle
I was called up in the war and sent to a hospital. I dressed wounds, applied iodine, gave enemas, did blood transfusions. If the doctor ordered: “Brecht, amputate a leg!”, I would reply, “Certainly, Your Excellency!”, and cut off the leg. If I was told, “Perform a trepanning!”
BERTOLT BRECHT

Cutting Men Transfusion War
Life is short and so is money.
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Cute Life Money Short
Suppose they gave a war, and nobody came? Why then, the war would come to you!
BERTOLT BRECHT

Politics Suppose War
He who fights, can lose. He who doesn’t fight, has already lost.
BERTOLT BRECHT

Fighting Loses Lost
The aim of science is not to open the door to infinite wisdom, but to set a limit to infinite error.
BERTOLT BRECHT

Errors Science Wisdom
You can make a fresh start with your final breath.
BERTOLT BRECHT

Breaths Finals Fresh Start
Even the most blockheaded bureaucrat, provided he loves peace, is a greater lover of the arts than any so-called art-lover who loves the arts of war.
BERTOLT BRECHT

Even Greater Love Lover Peace Provided War
I don’t trust him. We’re friends.
BERTOLT BRECHT

Friendship Negative Trust
None will improve your lot If you yourself do not.
BERTOLT BRECHT

Inspirational Life Motivational
What kind of times are they, when A talk about trees is almost a crime Because it implies silence about so many horrors?
BERTOLT BRECHT

Kind Silence Tree

We often do not know ourselves the grounds On which we act, though plain to others.

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We often do not know ourselves the grounds On which we act, though plain to others.

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