The Caucasian Chalk Circle

Analysis of Dramatic Characters [deutsche Version, hier klicken]

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Grusha Vachnadze and Azdak in Brecht's Caucasian Chalk Circle are two multifaceted and most impressive dramatic characters. They are both ordinary people who, however, undertake something extraordinary.

Grusha Vachnadze is an ordinary maid who is gradually involved in taking care of a noble child simply by a series of coincidences. She is fully aware of the danger associated with this action, that is, to be captured with the governors heir. She has to take a whole sleepless night to overcome her fear before she gives herself away to the terrible seduction of "goodness."
She is aware that the life of the child entirely depends on her and she can't escape the situation in which the child needs her help. Grusha is, however, an exception. ALthough she very much desires to get away from the child as soon as possible, she can't make it. In this sense, she differs not only from the Gouvernor's wife who worries more about her expensive cloths than about her own child, but also from people surrounding her who are concerned about their own interest and safety and don't want have anything to do with this kind of dangerous responsibility. Grusha does the extraordinary. She shows that there is another possibility which is under the existing conditions unusual: to sacrifice one's own interests for social and humanitarian reasons.

Azdak is a popular culinary character. This character is, however, not conceived for the mere entertaining of the spectators. Azdak is origianlly a village recorder. In a chaotic time he happens to be chosen by the ironshirts as the new judge for two years. During these two years he reverses the rules in favor of the poor people, and creates something closed to thejustice. At the end of the two years he has to worry about his bad ending. Luckily he is not only saved by the Grand Duke but he can go on with his position. He can decide on the case of the child.

His employment of the chalk circle trial proves once more his sense of justice and he gives the child to Grusha. Azdak shows his deep humanity and smartness. At the same time one can easily discover in this character a fanny, epicurean and ordinary village recorder. The ironshirts put it to the point when they say: "The judge was always a loafer, now a loafer should be the judge." Azdak always judges biasedly in favor of the poor people but he also takes bribery from the rich people. He observes strictly the prestige of the court, but uses the law book as seat pillow. Azdak's judge position is, however, only the by-product of an exception situation. He must, therefore, give up his activity after he has decided for the poor people for the last time.