Mother Courage

1 Pages 282 Words

Mother Courage and Her Children

The story of Mother Courage and Her Children is one of progressive ruin in the face of war and it’s devastating consequence. As each of Courage’s children leave or die, the burden placed upon her is augmented. By the end of Brecht’s tale, Mother Courage is forced to, quite literally, carry her burdens on her own.
As a director, a proper approach to the script would take this progression into account. To exemplify the corrosion of Mother Courage’s world, and the expansion of her burden, attention must be drawn to the wagon, the primary symbol of Courage’s hope and her duty. A possible approach to the symbolism of the wagon would be to increase its size from the beginning of the play to the end. By the final scene, Courage would be pulling a far larger burden, both literally and figuratively than at the beginning of her journey.
Another dramaturgical element to be accounted for is that of music. Narrative songs of both hope and despair permeate the play, and are integral to its structure and rhythm. Action on stage should not cease during the songs, but continue as normal. As they are sung, sheets should be folded, knives sharpened and other daily tasks completed, thus changing the songs from capricious acts of artistry, to a necessary expression of powerful emotion.
As is exemplified in Courage’s mute and mutilated daughter, Kattrin, the fruits of war have their consequence. Though Courage subsists on the ravages of war, it is the same conflict that ultimately destroys all that she loves. It is this irony that presents an inspiring challenge both dramaturgically and directorially....