In Bertolt Brecht’s play “Mother Courage and Her Children”, the devastating effects of war are vividly portrayed through the fates of the main characters. Though Mother Courage benefits from the war, it ultimately destroys her family and leaves her alone and destitute. 

For Mother Courage’s son Eilif, war brings out his capacity for violence and brutality.Though he is praised for his bravery for killing the innocent peasants, the war dehumanises him, bringing out the beast within mankind.

In contrast, Swiss Cheese, another son, tries to be honest and also empathises with people. But he is ultimately framed as a thief and is executed in public by the authorities.

Kattrin’s fate represents the lives of the innocent victims of war. She is raped by the soldiers and she later sacrifices herself to save a town by drumming to warn them of an impending attack. Her tragic death shows how the innocent civilians who have nothing to do with the war are inflicted suffering.

The play suggests that even those who are responsible for the beginning of the war, like the Swedish Commander and King Gustav, do so out of childish fantasies of power and glory, leading their people into division and despair. War destroys the humanity of all those involved, rewarding brutality while stamping out compassion. Brecht’s message is clear – “war is a futile and destructive folly that brings out the worst in people”. The fates of Mother Courage and her children serve as a warning against the perils of war and the false promises of glory and prosperity it offers.