How does Brecht Explore the Corruption of Society and the Brutality of Humanity? How does he tie these to Capitalism? To What Ends?

How does Brecht Explore the Corruption of Society and the Brutality of Humanity? How does he tie these to Capitalism? To What Ends?

Brecht tells a captivating and drama-filled story of the twist and turns of The Threepenny Opera. It is renowned as a remarkable “play with music,” which premiered in august of 1928. The piece is also adapted from the works of John Gay “The Beggars Opera.” The piece explores some of Brecht’s outstanding writing abilities in expressing art through dramatizing to express the abilities of characters. It also brings out a strong sense of examining society and expressing aspects that require improvement by critically showing the reality of things in society. As a play writer, it remains essential to convey the element of great expertise in drama while expressing vital elements issues that impact society. One of the main themes that Brecht delves into in an endeavor to show the rot in his community remains corruption. The paper focuses on the issue of corruption in society and how it impacts the people while also exploring how the same issue is tied to capitalism.

Corruption is an immoral act that describes fraudulent and dishonest actions by people in society that often involves the use of bribes. The subject of corruption remains relevant throughout the piece in many ways as characters get themselves having to seek favors unfairly from those around them. Some of the situations seem voluntary from the characters, while others appear forced such that one party in the agreement does not have a way out rather than taking part in corrupt activities. In Scene I of Act I, Brecht shows Peachum getting involved in corruption on a free basis as he uses the bible to corrupt others. Peachum forces Filch to pay him since good deeds would be paid with good rewards, according to the bible. The action translates to fraudulent and dishonest activity as the bible does not instruct others to demand good deeds from others since such good deeds would attract a positive reward. Peachum is exploiting others throughout the text. Such corruption ruins the morals of the people such as Peachum as dishonesty and greed become part of their persona. The multiplication of such personalities among many people would translate to a society whose morals are ruined with brutal people. At the same time, such morals are tied to capitalism in the manner that the people are seeking to improve their standards to become wealthy private individuals that have control of much of state property.

Capitalism remains at the heart of the play throughout the play, as shown in many instances. Capitalism has come to define the morality of the community as people are continually seeking to raise the economic ladder and attain more power. The setting of the play revolves around beggars, prostitutes, and thieves, which reinstates the remarkable element of competitiveness associated with the capitalist system. For instance, Macheath is continually straining to attain the middle-class lifestyle of expensive materials such as furniture and tableware, among others. Such is the mind-set of capitalism whereby greed for the better things drives the people. Macheath plans to quit crime and acquire the modest manners of the middle-class and the rich. He wants to save his money in the bank to accumulate more wealth and become respected in society. The banks remain among the vital tools of capitalism whereby they hold resources and control the distribution of the same regarding who gets what and which class controls the economy. Banks also set the people on a working cycle whereby the people have to work in all ways to increase their savings to become financially secure. Capitalism introduces and controls corruption in the community. People are willing to exchange their morals for a little bribe while others seek to bribe their way to freedom. Jenny, for instance, is ready to take bribe on multiple occasions to reveal the location of Macheath. Macheath, on another case, is trying to bribe Smith with a thousand pounds to gain his freedom and escape his judgment. To this end, it becomes apparent that the society is in a state of moral decay as the people cannot help themselves as they are deeply entangled in capitalism which has caused alarming rates of corruption with the people becoming brutal to one another without considerations for what is right as long as they can get or give money to attain their desires.

Brecht also invokes the critical thinking of the reader to examine the causes of corruption, and other immoral activities from diverse perspectives besides capitalism and how brutal people are that results in wicked actions to attain immediate needs. As Act II finalizes, Jenny and Macheath sing the “Second Threepenny-Final.” The song emphasizes that the people moral in society should not be quick to criticize the immoral actions of others since they do not understand the struggles of others. If people judge others, they ought to ensure that the weak have food to eat. Morality is therefore shown as a capitalist idea whereby they brutally enforce acting right as a measure to protect their riches while keeping the poor with nothing that can accelerate their potential to become rich as well. Such ideas emphasize the essence of capitalism, whereby the rich possess the power and control of society. Macheath, for instance, steals basic things to cover his immediate necessities without leaving others impoverished. It becomes apparent that the basic needs of people come first. Indeed the rich should empower the poor and, in so doing, such immoral actions such as petty theft and asking for little bribes. In this case, the brutality of the people, both rich and poor, drive corruption and theft in the community. Rich people use powerful measures to keep the poor grounded as they protect their wealth hence creating a society whereby people are selfish and drive forward social vices.

Concluding, Brecht tells a captivating story that captions the element of capitalism and its impact on people. The subject of corruption is explored in far, and wide measures as the people seem unable to escape from the jaws of corruption. Corruption is also shown as a subject that stems from people seeking solutions, while others use it to purchase freedom. It is considered as the shortest way to attain individual needs, and the people are always ready to take part in the activity. Bribes are shown as a vital tool driving corruption throughout. Characters are either seeking bribes to provide information and other resources regardless of how such an action reflects on crooked morals of both those willing to give and those in positions to take. Overall, corruption is designed and driven by the capitalistic system in place. The rich should, therefore, not hold more resources while may people languish; instead, they should share and provide to the poor. In such a way, the poor will not require to steal while the rich will not introduce corruption as the means to get aw