Galileo Tragic Hero

The Tragic Hero Galileo is one of the most recognized scientists to have glanced the universe, and there are many written materials related to his life and his discoveries. One of such writing is “The Life of Galileo” by Bertolt Brecht where he describes Galileo’s life using a play involving some interesting characters. Moreover, for many reasons, Brecht’s work has been analyzed from an angle that emphasizes on extending the debate on whether Galileo may be considered as a tragic hero or not. There are certain prerequisites which Aristotle outlines are significant in determining whether a character can be considered as a tragic hero. These conditions include catharsis, hubris, nemesis, peripeteia and anagnorisis among others (John 61). In that regard, since Galileo fulfills the majority of the prerequisites, he can be regarded as

Of all the other attributes, none does Galileo seem to perfectly suit more than controversy. Aristotle defines Hamartia as the flaw that is powerful enough as to lead to the downfall of the hero. Due to Galileo’s early commitment to religion, his critics perceive his scientific engagements as insubordinate. There are numerous cases in the play whereby he faces temptations from all directions to ditch science. At the start of the play, when asked for money from Curator, he was denied, and that led to him stealing the telescope from Ludovico (Millman 1). Another flaw, which also led to his breakdown, concerns his love for food and knowledge. In the second scene, The Inquisitor says, “In practice, one would not have to go very far with him. He is a carnal man. He would succumb immediately." In response, the Pope answers "He knows more pleasures than any other man I have met. He even thinks from sensuality. To an old wine or a new idea, he cannot say no” (Bertolt 68). Despite such trait being characterized as a flaw, it is something the audience would endear in