Life of Galileo

Book Review

«Life of Galileo» by Bertolt Brecht is a work in which the playwright incisively exposes the contradictions between science and authority, between the search for truth and the fear of dogma. Brecht masterfully constructs the protagonist’s inner conflict, turning Galileo into not only a symbol of his era but also a living person tormented by doubts and passions. The language of the play is rich in precise, expressive details, and the dialogues are filled with tension and philosophical depth. Critics note that Brecht does not idealize his hero: Galileo appears both as a great scientist and as a man capable of compromise. In this tragic discord between duty and weakness, between the light of reason and the shadow of fear, the true drama of the human personality is born. The play leaves a bitter aftertaste and prompts reflection on the price of progress, the courage to remain true to the truth, and the eternal confrontation between reason and power.