LIFE OF GALILEO - By Bertolt Brecht

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Scene One: Galileo Galilei (1564 – 1642) Science/religion “ For two thousand years, people have believed Ignorance and the status quo VS Galileo talks to Andrea, explains 16th century physicist, that the sun and all the stars of heaven rotate Science, Questioning, Hypothesis to him the Copernican System. mathematician, engineer, around mankind…but now we are breaking out and Investigation Ludovico arrives to seek private astronomer and philosopher. of it Andrea, at full speed.” p.6 lessons. Tells Galileo about the Introduces the burgeoning, new “Our cities are cramped, and so are men’s Fear and Ignorance telescope from Holland. scientific age Galileo is living in. minds.” P.6 VS Science Introduces Copernicus’ -“Where faith has been enthroned doubt now Religion/ Belief VS Science hypothesis. Reveals the sits” p.7 economic constrictions of -“What was never doubted before is doubted Science: Galileo’s work as a scientist. now” p.7 -questioning How does doubt create conflict? -“A new time has begun, a time it’s a pleasure -challenging to live in” p.10 -hypothesising 1. Why "have people believed - Giordano Bruno burnt at stake for putting -investigating the sun and all the stars of science before religion. -exploring heaven rotate around -uncertainty mankind”? -risk-taking -Limitations of technology -truth -Faith -A sense of security in the Religion: knowledge that the Earth is the -acceptance centre of the universe -fear 2. Why might faith “have been Individual/state -“What use would it be to you to have limitless -control enthroned for a thousand years” spare time for research if any ignorant monk in -denial and now be replaced by doubt? the Inquisition could just put a ban on your -belief -Raises the notion that where thoughts?” p.15 -faith there is uncertainty, there can be -“Every ruler has his monks” p.15 -God conflict -“The big shots won’t allow it” p.18 3. Why does Galileo make a -“We are like dull-eyed worms that can hardly Individual – passionate, distinction between “gawping” see at all” p.18 maverick, pursuit of truth, and “seeing”? naively confident -Looking without question State – supreme, central 4. What important observation power, fixed, omnipotent, does Galileo make about the unwavering, traditional, god- need for teachers to learn? like.

5. What problem does Galileo New ideas VS the -“But now we are breaking out of it, Andrea, at -The universe has lost its centre highlight with hypotheses? status quo/ full speed. Because the old days are over and overnight, waking to find it has accepted body of this I a new time.” P.6 countless centres. 6. What comment does the knowledge and -“The great ocean they feared is a little puddle” - State wants inventions to make Procurator ale about the tension understanding p.7 money. between the Church and -“A vast desire has sprung up to know the -Importance of freedom of Galileo’s research? reason for everything” p.7 thinking -“Andrea and I have made discoveries which can no longer be held back from the world” Shifts in Power p.10 The power of ideas -“This has created a draught which is blowing Revolution of ideas up the gold-embroidered skirts of the prelates Popular support and princes, revealing the fat and skinny legs underneath, legs like our own.” P.7 - Anxious that knowledge is -“Today we have found the courage to let them dangerous soar through space without support; and they are travelling at full speed just like our ship, at The difference between what we full speed and without support.” see and what we think we see.

Inner Conflict -“I am 46 years old and have achieved nothing Inner Struggles: that satisfies me” p.15 -Flaws in his character -Ethics

-Plagiarism

Freedom VS -“You people handed Mr Giordano Bruno over Control, to Rome. Because he was propagating the Materialism VS Ideas Success/ professional fulfilment censorship ideas of Copernicus. Not because he was propagating the ideas of VS Survival

Mr Copernicus, which anyway are wrong, but

because he was not a Venetian citizen and had no regular position here….not even here.” P.15 The State sanctified persecution of “By showing how everywhere else Inquisition the Inquisition to control, prevails and burns people, you get good terrorise, censor, prosecute, teachers cheap for this place…” p.15 persecute and discriminate in the name of God and Religion. -“Listen to me, Andrea: Don’t talk to other people about our ideas…The big shots won’t allow it.” P.18

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Scene Two: This scene explores plagiarism Individual/state -“And it strikes me that I’m starting to learn a Galileo shows no remorse/guilt for Galileo perfects the telescope, and science. Through Galileo’s thing or two about science” p.22 stealing the intellectual property by giving it a better scope. We act of plagiarism, we see his from someone else. learn he has stolen the idea humanness. from another scientist. He -Audience made to question presents it to the Venetian Galileo’s code of ethics. public. 1. Why does the Procurator attribute the telescope to an “inscription in the great book of the arts”? 2. What is Ludovico starting to learn about science? -Commerce v science -ethical dilemma

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Scene Three: The power and the danger of Religion/science -“Today mankind can write in its diary: Got rid Galileo confirms Copernican Galileo’s research proves to the TRUTH is explored. This scene of Heaven” p.24 theory. Ultimately, this discovery authentic nature of the includes a speech about REASON - Sagredo questions “Then where is God?” overturns the traditional religious Copernican System. The curator and its seductions. p.28. conviction that God created earth discovers Galileo’s plagiarism. 1. Why does Galileo mark this -“Forty years spent amongst human beings has as the centre of the universe. Galileo writes a letter to the date as “got rid of heaven”? again and again brought home to me that they What is also revealed here is court in Florence. 2. Why were Galileo’s earlier are not open to reason” p.29 – Sagredo Galileo’s self-centredness and inventions so well received? -“Don’t tell me people like that can’t grasp the indulgence for the finer things in 3. Why does Sagredo “feel truth. They grab at it” p.31 life. something not all that remote “I can see you embarking on a frightful road” from fear”? p.31 ***** 4. What comment might be Individual/state – -“Don’t go to Florence, Galileo” p.33 Sagredo warns Galileo that going made about Galileo’s ethics? political conflict to Florence armed with the truth 5. What fundamental principle -“Ten years ago in Rome they burnt a man at will be his doom. does Galileo challenge with his Inner conflict the stake” p.24 view that “the earth is a planet and not the centre of the truth v faith universe”? 6. What observation does reason v emotion Sagredo make about human reason? commerce v 7. What does Galileo believe is science the difference between what Copernicus was proposing and what he is proposing? 8. Why does Sagredo believe “it is a disastrous night when mankind sees the truth”?

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Scene Four: The aristocrats fear of new Individual/state -“This is how it is really” p.36 Cosimo de Medici, the 9 year old Galileo in Florence perfects his ideas. -“Can such planets exist?” p.38 Grand Duke of Tuscany is the telescope and notes new embodiment of authority and discoveries. He gets into a Is truth relative? power wants to hold the universe dispute over the truthfulness of Will truth always win over in his hands, however he and his discoveries with the authority? Andrea end up wrestling and the aristocrats of the Florentine model of the universe is broken. court. 1. What distinction is Galileo attempting to make between Science/religion -“Gentlemen, in all humility I ask you to go by Galileo and the Philosopher have “the authority of Aristotle” and the evidence of your eyes” p.41 different concepts of truth. “tangible facts”? -“Truth is born of the times, not of authority. 2. What does Galileo mean when Our ignorance is limitless” p.42 he says “Truth is born of the -“Mr Galileo, truth might lead us anywhere!” times, not of authority”? p.42

-“Of course, the court intellectuals refuse such Ordinary people are more capable sensory evidence not because they are stupid, of seeing the truth of a situation but because they have a vested interest in the than those who hold power and hierarchical structure of the universe” p.43 authority.

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Scene Five: How does fear motivate people? Individual/state Those who continue to work Galileo continues his research; How does fear fuel conflict? during the Plague, regardless of the plague breaks out. How does superstition and the risk. misunderstanding?

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Scene Six: Raises the doubt whether Individual/state -“Which is better I ask you: to have an eclipse The Vatican approves Galileo’s mankind must find the answers of the moon happen three days later than the discoveries and he is validated to all questions. Also, considers calendar says, or never to have eternal by the church’s greatest how man should see itself within salvation at all?” p.52 astronomer, Christopher Clavius. the universe. The Inquisition was the church’s Science/religion -“Are the scriptures lying?” p.52 Whilst the church investigates response to encountering -“They degrade humanity’s dwelling place to a Galileo’s theories – monks mock conflict. wandering star………..Wait till they say man him, but apparently “reason” When should you challenge and animal are not distinct either, man himself wins. authority? is an animal, there’s nothing but animals!” p.53 When should you let go? -“You bear a remarkable likeness to what’s-his- Very old cardinal threatens Galileo 1. What causes the mocking at name, you know, the man we burned” p.53 the beginning of this scene? -“You’ve won” p.54 (Little Monk) 1. What position do the First and -“He’s right” p.54 Clavius explains Second Astronomers take? -“Reason has won” p.54 – Galileo 2. What position does the Old Cardinal take? 4. What conclusion does Christopher Clavius reach and what further predicament does this put Galileo in?

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Scene Seven: During this scene, Galileo, and Individual/state -“One has to move with the times, gentlemen. Here Galileo speaks to two Galileo attends Ball at Cardinal Cardinals Bellarmin and Not just hugging the coasts; sooner or later one secretaries playing chess, Bellarmin’s house in Rome. The Barberini have a heated has to venture out” p.56 reinforcing the idea of unshackling cardinal warns him to keep his discussion about faith and the mind and allowing the new research ‘hypothetical’. Ludivico reason. Reinforcing the conflict ideas and possibilities to evolve. and Virginia are in love. between the science and religion. P.58-60 Religion/science -“We must move with the times, Barberini. If Whilst Bellarmin hypocritically new star charts based on a new hypothesis suggests that while the church This scene reinforces the corrupt help our mariners to navigate, then they should accepts new knowledge helpful to and deceptive nature of officials make use of them. We only disapprove of such commerce and trade, it will not in power. Note the use of masks doctrines as run counter to the Scriptures” p.57 embrace knowledge that in this scene – the lamb and -“Men’s reason, my friend, does not take us undermines the Scriptures. dove, representing innocence very far. All around us we see nothing but and peace. Yet it is clear that crookedness, crime and weakness. Where is these men are in fact cunning truth?” p.59 and wily politicians who stop at -“I believe in men’s reason” p.59 Galileo responds to the cardinals. nothing to manipulate and wield -“I am a faithful son of the church” p.59 power over others. -“Mr Galileo, Tonight the Holy Office decided Bellarmin – this response that the doctrine of Copernicus…..is foolish, demonstrates how easily those in People continue to talk about absurd, heretical and contrary to our faith. I power can manipulate the truth. Galileo and his theories, yet he have been charged to warn you that you must According to biblical scholars, has no control over what they abandon this view” p.60 “truth” is found only in the are saying. Consider what -“You must treat the doctrine in the form of a scriptures and, as it is the Church happens when conflict builds hypothesis. Science is the rightful and much theologians who interpret the and it is out of anyone’s loved daughter of the Church. None of us scriptures, there is little chance of personal control? seriously believe that you want to shake men’s challenging doctrinal “truths” and 1. What analogy does Galileo faith in the church ” p.61 thereby destabilising society. The use to explain his theory to Catholic Church is at the pinnacle Barberini? of the social hierarchy in 2. What conclusion does Renaissance Italy, but cannot Bellarmin say the Holy Office has maintain this position without God reached? and Heaven. -“We need you more than you need us” p.61 Barberini

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Scene Eight: What leads to a better life – Inner Conflict -“I have been unable to sleep for three days” The Little Monk recognises that Galileo’s humble conversation scientific knowledge or religious p.64 Galileo is correct about the moons with the humble little monk on faith? Can you believe in God -“What would be the value or necessity then of of Jupiter; however, he struggles the conflicts between religion and scientific reason? so much patience, such understanding of their with his faith. and science. own poverty?” p.65 Little Monk fears the collapse of The central theme of power is -‘What would be the use of the Holy Scripture, the established social order. He explored in this scene. which has explained and justified it all-the goes on to discuss his parents who -the way in which the Church sweat, the patience, the hunger, the were peasants - maintains its authority; the Little submissiveness-and now turns out to be full of Monk refers to the Church’s errors?” p.66 “exceptional powers of -“We have the highest of all motives for enforcement” p.64. keeping our mouths shut-the peace of mind of -the way the Church uses its the less fortunate” p.67 power to wage wars in Germany and Spain p.66 Individual/state -“My dear fellow, authority is rewarding me for Galileo responds by defending the -Galileo’s response to Church not disturbing the peace of mind….” P.67 need to tell the truth. Galileo power. The tone of his language -“Oh, to hell with it: I see your people’s divine argues the peasants suffer here is more heated and patience, but where is their divine anger?” p.68 because those in power do not militant, with a revolutionary -“If I were to agree to keep my mouth shut my care – it’s not about the God, it flavour p.68 motives would be thoroughly low ones: an easy seems the Church is used to life…” p.67 keeping the rich in power and the At this point, we still consider poor remain poor. Galileo to be a hero. Galileo continues to believe in reason; the thought of holding Is revealing the truth important -“But don’t you think the truth will get through back suggests he is a coward. above all else? without us, so long as it’s true?” p.68 Little Monk 1. What might be the “potential -“The only truth that gets through will be what dangers for humanity in wholly we force through; the victory of reason will be Galileo unrestricted research”? the victory of people who are prepared to 2. What does the Little Monk see reason” p.68 as the danger is suggesting Galileo’s ideas to people like his parents? What is Galileo’s response?

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Scene Nine: Research over blind faith. Individual/state -“Someone who does know the truth and calls Filippo Mucius (Galileo’s former 8 years have passed and Galileo it a lie is a crook” p.70 student) – is condemned by his has continued to remain silent. 1. Why is Galileo so angry with teacher because he published New Pope Urban XIII, Barberini Filippo Mucius? work attacking Copernicus’ (a mathematician) is appointed. 2. What prompts Galileo to theories. Galileo is quick to judge. Galileo once again decides to begin postulating his theories Consider this attitude later on in study the Heavens. In doing so, again? the play when Galileo recants. he alienates Ludovico who 3. What challenge does Ludovico breaks off his engagement to suggest the future pope will Religion/Science -“You really ought to go to a proper Mrs Sarti suggests to Virginia to Virginia. have? astronomer at the university and get him to seek guidance about her future. cast your horoscope” p.71 Superstition appears

State/individual -“Did they stop you from marrying my daughter Galileo speaks to Ludovico because I had a term of probation to serve?” p.77 -“Don’t forget that the poor little things are Galileo confronts Ludovico’s little better than animals and get everything conservative views about the muddled up…they truly are like beasts” p.79 peasants and threatens to stir -“I will write in the language of the people, for them up by writing his ideas in the many, rather than in Latin for the few” p.79 Italian – the language ordinary -“You will always be the slave of your passions” people will understand. p.80

Science/Family -“I caught you secretly starting your Mrs Sarti accuses Galileo of ‘obsessions’ again” p.78 choosing science over Virginia’s -“You’re just as bad as before……you have no happiness. right to trample all over your daughter’s How much are people willing to happiness with your great feet” p.78 sacrifice in order to achieve?

-“You sent him away, father” p.81 Virginia

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Scene Ten: Galileo is portrayed as the State/individual -“People must see their place, some down and Feudal society during the 1600s in The year is 1632 – 10 years have destroyer of the bible. some on top” p.84 Italy. passed. The Ballad of Galileo’s deeds shows the common The ballad suggests the freedom -“Galileo Galilei, the bible-buster!” p.85 In claiming that the world revolves people’s response to his and the dangers that accompany around the sun has turned the discovery, breaking the radical change, and show that -“Independent spirit spreads like foul disease” world upside down; the social authority of the bible, and overturning the social order can p.87 order has been disrupted. therefore the Church. be a source of both community The Power of words conflict and individual anxiety.

The power of words – do words have power? 1. Summarise the song sung at the carnival. What is its purpose?

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Scene Eleven: Galileo sticks to his arguments Science/religion -“We manufacturers are behind you…” p.87 Manufacturers seem to be allied In 1633 - Galileo is summoned and expresses his firm belief in -“To me you’re the man who’s battling for with reason. by the Inquisition in Rome. The them even if no one else does. freedom to teach what’s new” p.87 Vanni court of Florence announces it Note Galileo’s failing eyesight; can no longer offer him this can also be symbolic in that Individual/state -“The Holy Inquisition wish to interrogate you Galileo is rejected by authority protection. he is unwilling to see the in Rome” p.90 consequences of his Galileo is accused of circulating controversial ideas. Sometimes we are forced to pamphlets that condemn the 1. What can be inferred from suffer the consequences of Bible Vanni’s comparison between something we cannot control. what is happening in Rome and other parts of Europe? 2. What preparations has Galileo made and what does this suggest?

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Scene Twelve: The Inquisitor fears loss of Science/religion -“Are we to base human society on doubt and The Inquisitor highlights the The Pope and the Inquisitor power and status as a result of no longer on faith?” p.92 dangers to the Church of Galileo’s discuss methods of dealing with Galileo’s teachings. doctrines. Galileo’s revolutionary Individual/state -“At the very most he can be shown the Barberini becomes the symbol of doctrines. During this scene we see the instruments” p.94 this conflict when he becomes The Pope does not forbid Pope physically transform with Pope. He does not want to deny Galileo’s teachings. all the opulent garments and science but he has to be the Pope trappings of his powerful – only when fully robed as the position. Brecht cleverly uses Pope does he allow for the this dramatic transformation instruments of torture to be (both physically and shown to Galileo. metaphorically) to reinforce the power of the Church and its Rapid change causes conflict position at the centre of the revolving universe.

Change causes conflict. 1. What observation does the Inquisitor make about the people gathering at the Vatican? 2. What is he suggesting is at the heart of Galileo’s hypothesis?

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Scene Thirteen: Recantation or death – what is Individual /state -“Someone who does know the truth and calls Andrea Galileo recants (retracts, the nobler act? it a lie is a crook” p.95 withdraws, denies) Note the use of lightness and -“She is praying that he’ll recant” p.96 Andrea says this of Virginia. darkness in this scene, where -“No force will help them to make what has Andrea and Little Monk state that light represents an age of reason been seen unseen” p.96 once the truth is known and or enlightenment and darkness -“I can’t wait anymore, they’re beheading the discovered circumstances will resembles superstition and truth” p.97 therefore change for the better. falsehood. -“Unhappy the land that has no heroes!” p.98 Andrea 1. Why is Andrea so -“I can’t look at him. Get him away” p.98 Galileo’s recantation leads to disappointed in Galileo? -“No. Unhappy the land where heroes are distressing personal conflict 2. What observation does needed” p.98 between Galileo and his former Galileo make at the end of this protégée, Andrea. scene? Does surrendering = lost?

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Scene Fourteen: Research will continue even if it Inner Conflict -“I feel concern for certain scientific friends 1633-1642 - Older Galileo living is forbidden. whom I led into error. Did they learn anything in a house in the country near from my recantation?” p.103 Florence, a prisoner of the Despite attempts to portray Inquisition until his death. Galileo as an anti-hero, Science/religion -“Fulganzio, our little monk, has given up By recanting, Galileo set science Virginia continues to care for her moments of heroism shine science and gone back to the bosom of the back by many years. He has father. Andrea comes to visit. through. church” p.103 however, completed the Discorsi He is leaving Italy to do research -“My superiors hope to achieve a spiritual cure and openly states that science in Holland. Galileo gives him the 1. Summarise Galileo’s in my case too” p.104 aims to turn us all into doubters. Discorsi. monologue to Andrea. Why is he -“I’ve finished the Discorsi……the transcript is so critical of himself? inside the globe” p.105

Inner Conflict -“I’ve been risking the last pathetic remnants of my own comfort by making a transcript” p.105 -“I recanted because I was afraid of physical Galileo is writing a book in support pain” p.107 of the church. At this point, Andrea’s faith Individual/state -“Better to hand out soup in Christian love than becomes restored in Galileo. pay them more” p.101 Andrea tries to justify Galileo’s -“I taught you science and denied the truth” actions – better stained than p.106 empty. Galileo says he sold out -“Your hands are stained, we said. You’re and that science is not saying, better stained than empty” p.106 honourable. -“They did win” p.107 -“Fearing death is human. Human weaknesses don’t matter to science” p.107 -“The pursuit of science seems to me to demand particular courage in this respect. It deals in knowledge procured through doubt…….” p.107 -108 ***** -“Science, Sarti, is involved in both these battles. A human race which shambles around in a pearly haze of superstition and old saws, too ignorant to develop its own powers” p.108 -“As a scientist I had a unique opportunity” p.109 -“Had I stood firm the scientist could have developed something like a doctors’ Hippocratic oath; a vow to use their knowledge exclusively for mankind’s benefit” P.109

-“Look after yourself when you pass through Germany, with the truth under your coat” p.109

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Scene Fifteen: Symbolises that those is pursuit -“May you now guard science’s light” p.110 The verse at the commencement 1637 Andrea smuggles Galileo’s of scientific knowledge will -“Lest it be a flame to fall” p.110 of scene 15 speaks directly to the Discorsi out of Italy. continue their research despite audience, as Brecht’s epic theatre any restrictions imposed by the tends to do. It encourages the ruling powers. audience to “guard science’s light” and to use scientific knowledge 1. What attitude of the border and discovery for positive social guards works to Andrea’s purposes. The conclusion of the advantage? verse refers to the atomic bombs 2. How does Brecht choose to that engulfed Hiroshima and end the play and why? Nagasaki at the close of WWII.

-“Nobody who wanted to hide something Reinforcing a central theme of would put it under our noses like that” p.111 seeing, looking and misunderstanding.

-“You should learn to use your eyes” p.113 A final message to all. Will truth always triumph? Although the conclusion is left for your own interpretation, perhaps Brecht is suggesting that the fundamental truth will win in the end. Superstition and science are juxtaposed in this final scene. D.White - 2014