Behorsing

What is Epic Theater? Illuminations Walter Benjamin

The Untragic hero

Brecht is in the mind of Benjamin throughout the essay so far. And here we are introduced to the untragic hero. This hero does not seem very clearly established. He gives one example of french nobility sitting in designated chairs. Another is dying Socrates and Jesus.

We contemplate the idea of a philosopher or person of wisdom. Benjamin treats this character as someone who was embraced in past times and then became neglected. He sees Brecht as the playwrite transforming this character in the present.

This detached person seems suspect. The idea of a character alienated from the subject seems like shadow psychology. Rather than being described as opposite from the plot this person is being described as absent from it--severed rationalism.

Pelops Imagines Philostratus

Pelops is depicted here getting his gift from Poseidon which are four horses. These horses will later be used to win a race that will convince a stubborn father to let him marry his daughter. However, we are before the race and the Pelops is being described as just maturing to an adult in the sense he's just growing a beard.

The imagery that is marvelled here isn't the mythological figures but the horses. They are painted active close and do not blur into some heard of horses. And the over all idea of this painting is depicting the a hero who's body is preparing himself to be passionate for women. The transformation from adolescent to a man is characterized but a blessing of energetic beasts. This blessing is harnessed to the person and will give him what's necessary to be bold and a lover rather than be struck down in defeat