‘The Protector of the Arts’: Dramaturgy and Hitler’s Wartime Theatre

In this chapter, Gerwin Strobl discusses some of the key terminology the Nazis used in relation to arts and culture, and in particular the links to war, combat and military struggle as key reference points. He refers in detail to Adolf Hitler’s conception of art and the didactic impetus underlying Theaterpolitik: specifically, Hitler’s determination, right up to the end of the war, to expose soldiers and workers to the classics of the dramatic repertoire, accompanied by dramaturgical education leaflets and introductory talks. Strobl highlights the different positions concerning the arts in German society held by some of Hitler’s key associates—Goebbels, Rosenberg and the National Dramaturg Reichsdramaturg Rainer Schlösser.