Life of Galileo

Historical Context and Significance

«Life of Galileo» by Bertolt Brecht is a work in which the era of scientific discovery and dramatic change is seen through the prism of the inner struggle of a genius caught between the hammer of truth and the anvil of dogmatism. Written at a time when the world once again faced the threat of obscurantism and violence, the play is not only a meditation on the fate of a great scientist but also a powerful artistic response to the challenges of the twentieth century. Brecht skillfully weaves into the fabric of the narrative questions of the scientist’s responsibility to humanity, the price of compromise, and the power of human reason in opposition to blind faith. This play has had a profound impact on world culture, becoming a symbol of intellectual resistance and moral choice, while the image of Galileo embodies both the tragedy and greatness of humanity’s search for truth.