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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 February 2021
The epilogue to Bertolt Brecht's Der gute Mensch von Sezuan (The Good Person of Szechwan) has significantly helped to define the paradigm of epic theater:
Epilog
Vor den Vorhang tritt ein Spieler und wendet sich entschuldigend an das Publikum mit einem Epilog.
DER SPIELER
Verehrtes Publikum, jetzt kein Verdruss:
Wir wissen wohl, das ist kein rechter Schluss.
Vorschwebte uns: die goldene Legende.
Unter der Hand nahm sie ein bitteres Ende.
Wir stehen selbst enttäuscht und sehn betroffen
Den Vorhang zu und alle Fragen offen.
Dabei sind wir doch auf Sie angewiesen
Dass Sie bei uns zu Haus sind und genießen.
Wir können es uns leider nicht verhehlen:
Wir sind bankrott, wenn Sie uns nicht empfehlen!
Vielleicht fiel uns aus lauter Furcht nichts ein.
Das kam schon vor. Was könnt die Lösung sein?
Wir konnten keine finden, nicht einmal für Geld.
Soll es ein andrer Mensch sein? Oder eine andre Welt?
Vielleicht nur andere Götter? Oder keine?
Wir sind zerschmettert und nicht nur zum Scheine!
Der einzige Ausweg wär aus diesem Ungemach:
Sie selber dächten auf der Stelle nach
Auf welche Weis dem guten Menschen man
Zu einem guten Ende helfen kann.
Verehrtes Publikum, los, such dir selbst den Schluss!
Es muss ein guter da sein, muss, muss, muss!
Epilogue
A Player steps in front of the curtain and, apologetically, addresses the audience with an epilogue.
THE PLAYER
Dear audience, don't be displeased:
We know, this wasn't much of a conclusion.
We had in mind: The Golden Legend,
Which, underhandedly, came to a bitter end.
We stand here, disillusioned, and are stunned to see
That even though the curtain has been closed, all questions remain open.
And yet, we do depend on you
To feel at home—and to enjoy yourselves—with us.
We sadly can't deceive ourselves:
If you won't recommend us, we’ll go bankrupt!
Perhaps, because of fear, we couldn't think of anything.
That's happened on occasion. Though what might be the answer?
We couldn't find one, not even for money.
Should it be a different kind of person? Or a different world?
Perhaps just different gods? Or none?
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