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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The historical conditions of a play must not be imagined as _____.

2. Laughton gave readings of _____ at Brecht's house.

3. Literary works cannot be taken over like _____.

4. The pomp of _____ has a hollow gest.

5. After the moral and material collapse of Germany, the country had a vague appetite for _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Brecht's view on previews?

2. Why does Brecht complain about the use of Volkstumlich in the German language?

3. Compare the modern playwright's relationship with his audience with the tradesman's relationship with his customers.

4. What does Brecht say is considered to be social gest?

5. What is Brecht's description of how academic critics treat folk plays and why does he think this?

6. What does Brecht see as the reasons for lifeless and stereotyped portrayals of characters by actors?

7. What system of production is present in bourgeois society?

8. Why does Brecht say that mere catastrophe is a bad teacher?

9. Why did the actors sit openly on the stage in Neher's production of Antigone?

10. What does theatre show us about the structure of society and how is this represented?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the role of music in Brecht's idea of theatre. When is the use of music appropriate? How has it been used in the past in theater?

Essay Topic 2

Explain Brecht's theories of 'gest'. What does the word mean? How did it come into being?

Essay Topic 3

Explain Brecht's views on stage design in epic theatre. What is the sole function of visual design in an epic play?

(see the answer keys)

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