Mother Courage and Her Children

Historical Context and Significance

«Mother Courage and Her Children» is a play written by Bertolt Brecht in 1939, which has become one of the most renowned anti-war dramas in world literature. Set during the Thirty Years' War, it tells the story of Anna Fierling, known as Mother Courage, who tries to profit from the war by traveling with her children and selling goods to soldiers. Brecht uses this play to demonstrate the futility and destructiveness of war, while also criticizing capitalism and human greed. The play became a significant part of Brecht's epic theatre, which aimed not only to entertain but also to provoke thought about social and political issues. «Mother Courage and Her Children» has had a profound impact on the development of theatre and culture, becoming a symbol of the anti-war movement and inspiring numerous productions and adaptations worldwide.