Clavius, like Barberini, is a minor character with few lines, but with an exceptionally important role. As the Vatican’s chief scientist, it is Clavius who makes the determination that Galileo’s proof of Copernicus’ system is correct. This shows that Clavius has the bravery (and political clout) to credibly make such a declaration, despite the Church’s firm belief in Aristotle’s contradictory system.
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Father Christopher Clavius Character Timeline in The Life of Galileo
The timeline below shows where the character Father Christopher Clavius appears in The Life of Galileo. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Scene 4
...scientists leave without even glancing through Galileo’s telescope. They promise to send Galileo’s ideas to Clavius, the chief astronomer of the Papal college at Rome.
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Scene 6
...are all heartily mocking his ideas amongst themselves. All are waiting for the decision of Clavius regarding Galileo’s research. While most are enjoying the scene, a group of astronomers remarks bitterly...
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...of Aristotle while pacing back and forth until he collapses. At the moment he falls, Clavius enters, declares that Galileo is correct in what he’s said, and promptly leaves.
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The Little Monk approaches Galileo in private and tells him that, before he left, Clavius said that the Church would have to once again figure out how the universe worked.
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Scene 8
The Little Monk comes to visit Galileo. He tells Galileo that, ever since Clavius declared Galileo’s findings to be correct, he has struggled to reconcile them with his faith....
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