Life of Galileo

Style and Technique

In «Life of Galileo», Bertolt Brecht masterfully combines the conciseness and expressiveness of dramatic language, giving each dialogue sharpness and inner tension. His style is marked by restrained, almost ascetic simplicity, where every word is honed and full of meaning. Brecht employs the technique of estrangement, prompting the audience not to dissolve in emotion but to reflect and analyze what is happening. The language of the play is rich in scientific terminology, metaphors, allusions to antiquity and biblical imagery, giving the text depth and multiple layers. The structure is built on alternating short, dynamic scenes, each like a separate episode in the life of the great scientist, interspersed with interludes and songs that highlight key ideas and moral dilemmas. Brecht skillfully uses irony, contrast, and symbolism, creating a drama where philosophical questions intertwine with vivid human emotions, and artistic form becomes a tool for deep social and ethical analysis.