Bertolt Brecht

Date of Birth: February 10, 1898

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: August 14, 1956

Biography

Bertolt Brecht, born Eugen Berthold Friedrich Brecht, was a German poet, playwright, and theatre director. He was born on February 10, 1898, in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany. Brecht is one of the most influential figures in 20th-century theatre, known for his development of the epic theatre and his contributions to dramaturgy. His work often reflected his Marxist beliefs, and he sought to provoke social change through his art. Brecht’s notable works include “The Threepenny Opera,” “Mother Courage and Her Children,” and “The Life of Galileo.” He fled Nazi Germany in 1933 and eventually settled in the United States before returning to East Germany after World War II. Brecht founded the Berliner Ensemble, a theatre company dedicated to performing his works. He passed away on August 14, 1956, in East Berlin.

5 Interesting Facts about Bertolt Brecht

1. Brecht’s play “The Threepenny Opera” includes the famous song “Mack the Knife,” which became a jazz standard.

2. He was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize in 1955.

3. Brecht was influenced by Karl Marx and integrated Marxist themes into his work.

4. He collaborated extensively with composer Kurt Weill, particularly on “The Threepenny Opera.”

5. Brecht was blacklisted during the McCarthy era in the United States for his suspected communist affiliations.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bertolt Brecht

1. “Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.”

2. “Hungry man, reach for the book: it is a weapon.”

3. “The aim of science is not to open the door to infinite wisdom, but to set a limit to infinite error.”

4. “The worst illiterate is the political illiterate. He doesn’t hear, doesn’t speak, nor participates in political events.”

5. “Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Bertolt Brecht’s net worth at the peak of his career is not well-documented. However, his significant contributions to theatre and his founding of the Berliner Ensemble suggest a considerable influence and impact rather than monetary wealth.

Children

Bertolt Brecht had three children: 1. Frank Banholzer, born in 1919, with Paula Banholzer. 2. Hanne Hiob, born in 1923, with Marianne Zoff. 3. Stefan Brecht, born in 1924, with Helene Weigel.