Life of Galileo -

984 Words4 Pages
An individual's true character is shown when they encounter conflict. Whether spiritual, emotional, physical, personal, mental, or familial, conflict always presents a person choices and decisions to make. The reality of conflict presents itself in birth and even in death. Conflict is an inevitable part of life and often, an individual's true character is highlighted during the encounter. However, there are cases when an individual's character is not only identified at conflict but rather redefined or changed by it. As in conflict, compromises great or small are made in order to accommodate present circumstances. Choices made are reflective of one's priorities and inlaid beliefs. Assessing an individual's true character often requires other people's input. It can therefore become a relative matter, rather than subjective, when people are involved. In Galileo’s case, others like Andrea may have seen his recantation as cowardice while others still would have seen it as Galileo’s practicality. Galileo Galilee’s recantation serves as the highlight of Bertolt Brecht's play, “ Life of Galileo, “ in that it portrays humanity at its core. At the beginning of the play Galileo was depicted to be somewhat of a hero for pursuing truth despite going against the wishes of Catholic Church authorities. However, being threatened of torture towards the end, his "fear of physical pain" dismisses the hero label stuck to Galileo showing that his instinct for survival and fear of mortal pain is human. This idea shows that Galileo is not necessarily fearful in character, rather it shows power of the will to survive which a common thread that runs through humanity. It shows Galileo’s pragmatic ideology, keeping in mind that he was a logical thinker and a scientist, in choosing life so he could continue his research rather than choosing the stake to become a martyr for his
Open Document