The Threepenny Opera Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

  1. Why do you think Brecht decided to use so much music in the play? What do we learn from the songs that we wouldn't get from other parts of the drama?
  2. How does the play criticize society?
  3. What would be different if the play were set in 2037 instead of 1837?
  4. What is the point of the scene title cards that flash before every scene? What is their effect on the audience?
  5. Why does Brecht add the deus ex machina at the end of the play?
  6. Is there anyone in the play who isn't a violent criminal? Why do you think so?
  7. Who would you cast in the role of Mac if you were staging the play?
  8. What elements of The Threepenny Opera have made their way into pop culture? Why has it had such a profound effect?