Epic Theatre and Traditional Theatre A Study in Contrast

Abstract

This paper juxtaposes Epic theatre as against Traditional theatre and calls Epic theatre as theatre of reason, because it’s imparts didactic instruction upon the audience. It does not let the audience enjoy the play passively and tries to bring value to the society. 

This study draws the material from Brecht’s analysis and he does not owe to the ancient Greeks any significant role in his actions. The Greek play is believed to have catharsis as its chief aim. Traditional theatre is supposed to have catharsis as its chief aim. Traditional theatre was withheld in the epic theatre by creating an emotional detachment, not by involvement.

On the lines of an epic, the Epic theatre is a narrative which could commence anywhere and end anywhere unlike even the Shakespearean tragedies where almost all the characters die at the end of the play which gives an emotional purgation to the audience. If the protagonist is dead, the audience can be content with the fact that the antagonist is also dead. A comedy contains a happy ending, but a play staged according to the tradition of an epic theater does not contain any resolution. All these elements are absent in Brecht who involves the audience in the actions of the play by breaking the fourth wall. The spectators are troubled and burdened with palpable tension which he or she will carry home food for thought.