23.04.15

Goebbels with all of his children

Today I have been researching into my character,Betty Dullfeet(this is in a separate post)and also the other characters featured, and who they were in real life.
Most of the characters are based upon German aristocrats and associates of Hitler, and this is very apparent throughout the play.

Arturo Ui: Quite clearly, a caricature of Adolf Hitler. Arturo's journey within the play is based upon the real life events of Hitlers rise to power. Brecht has comically made Ui look similar to Hitler with the silly moustache and his hair. This adds comedy to the character, but his dark rise to power is the main link between Ui and Hitler. The play is a satire of Hitler's life, from when he became noticed and to when he rose to power. The play does not show Hitler's downfall and his death, it finishes when Ui is unstoppable and has Betty DullFeet on his side. He manipulates the characters into joining sides with him, and if they do not, the will be killed. Ui is very powerful, passionate and intense, exactly like Hitler was. 
Dogsborough: This character is a parody of German aristocrat Paul Von Hindenburg, he was Polish. He wanted to be the leader of a government Anti Nazi party, but Hitler would not allow this, and insisted on being the chancellor of every government party,  but an agreement was made between the two men, Hindeburg's policies irritated the Nazi's and Hitler slowly gained power unlimited policital power, and was always publicly "respectful" towards Hindenburg, though I believe they were enemies, but Hitler wanted to keep him close. In his late years, Hindenburg became heavily influenced by those around him, including his son(YOUNG DOGSBOROUGH) and was manipulated into things he did not believe in, very similar to Dogsborough. He disliked Hitler as he was from the wrong social class, but was " forced" to appoint him as chancellor. Hindenburg died of lung cancer in 1934, and Hitler continued to rise further.

Ernst Rohm

Roma: Ernesto Rohm. He was a German officer and then became the leader of the nazi party. He was influential over Hitler, and he was rumoured to be homosexual. But Hitler had no problem with this and accepted him, which is very ironic seeing as Hitler was strongly against homosexuality.

Givola: Joseph Goebbels, he was a German politician and Reich minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany. He was Hitlers minister of Propaganda. Died in 1947 by shooting himself and his wife, along with poisoning his six children, due to Russia invading Germany and Hitler losing his power. Goebbels was a womaniser, and was told by Hitler to change his ways. He was a massive fan of Hitler and was almost like a shadow of him, he looked up to Hitler and did everything he asked for. Hitler denied him the right to divorce his wife as it would set a "bad example" to the German public, as Goebbels had always preached family values to the Germans. Givola and Arturo are very close, and Givola is like his second hand man, always doing everything he wants and he is very powerful and intimidating, similar to Arturo.

Dullfeet: Engelbert Dollfus, was an Austrian Christian social and Patriotic front statesman. Betty Dullfet(Alwine Dollfus) was his wife, who is the character I am playing. Dollfus was a small man of 4"11, hence the reference to his height in the play. And he was generally a well liked man, who had good morals and beliefs. in 1933, he banned the Austrian Nazi party and assumed dictator powers. He was a dictator of Austria and a chancellor. He was not liked by Hitler as he had different views and beliefs, and did not like the Nazi party at all. Similar to the play where dullfeet expresses his dislike for Ui and his gangsters. He was assasinated by 10 Austrian Nazi's, due to Hitler's dislike for him and his beliefs.

Characters
Dogsborough → Paul von Hindenburg
Arturo Ui → Adolf Hitler
Giri → Hermann Göring
Roma → Ernst Röhm
Givola → Joseph Goebbels
Dullfeet → Engelbert Dollfuß
Karfioltrust → Junker, the Industrial trust
Gangsters → Fascists
Fish → Marinus van der Lubbe
Sheet (Shipyard Owner)
The different places cited in the text:
Chicago → Germany
Cicero → Austria
Dockshilfeskandal → East Aid Scandal