Benjamin e Brecht: a pedagogia do gesto

The paper analyses the interpretation of Bertolt Brecht’s epic theatre elaborated by Walter Benjamin in his essay “What is epic theatre?” (1931). After pointing out the demand of critical reconfiguration of the traditional theatre in view of the instruction of the public and of his association to a broader movement of social transformation, the difficulties and presuppositions of a pedagogical theatre, so as it is presented by Brecht in his play.A man is a man, are presented. Benjamin’s perspective of analysis is then finally discussed, particularly its emphasis on the critical and ant-illusionistic potential of theatrical proceedings such as the production of gestures by the interruption of action.