The Life of Galileo
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 Scene 6 Scene 7 Scene 8 Scene 9 Scene 10 Scene 11 Scene 12 Scene 13 Scene 14 Scene 15
Themes
All Themes Progress vs. Tradition Persecution Ideas as Infection Work vs. Passion Greatness
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Galileo Galilei Andrea Sarti The Little Monk Federzoni Cardinal Barberini (later Pope Urban VIII) Ludovico Marsili Mrs. Sarti The Procurator Virginia Cosimo de Medici Father Christopher Clavius Sagredo
Symbols
All Symbols Apples The Proving Stone Fire
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The Life of Galileo

by

Bertolt Brecht
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The Little Monk Character Analysis

The Little Monk begins as one of Galileo Galilei’s many detractors within the Catholic Church, but he ultimately becomes one of Galileo’s students and acolytes. Trained to be a theologian, mathematician, physicist, and astronomer all at once, the Little Monk originally argues with Galileo, defending Aristotle and the centuries of wisdom the Church has taught him. However, the Little Monk has a highly energetic, almost tenacious, desire for the truth. So, when he witnesses the evidence of Copernicus’ model provided by Galileo’s telescope, he finds himself unable to turn away from it. In the end, he becomes one of his teacher’s most vocal supporters, even when both the Pope and Inquisition have arrested Galileo.

The Little Monk Quotes in The Life of Galileo

The The Life of Galileo quotes below are all either spoken by The Little Monk or refer to The Little Monk. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Progress vs. Tradition Theme Icon
).
Scene 6 Quotes

Mr. Galilei, before he left Father Clavius said: Now it's up to the theologians to see how they can straighten out the movements of the heavens

once more. You've won.

Related Characters: The Little Monk (speaker), Galileo Galilei
Progress vs. Tradition Theme Icon
Persecution Theme Icon
Greatness Theme Icon
Page Number: 51
Explanation and Analysis:
Scene 8 Quotes

Our poverty has no meaning: hunger is no trial of strength, it’s merely not having eaten: effort is no virtue, it's just bending and carrying. Can you see now why I read into the Holy Congregations decree a noble motherly compassion; a vast goodness of soul?

Related Characters: The Little Monk (speaker), Galileo Galilei
Progress vs. Tradition Theme Icon
Page Number: 63
Explanation and Analysis:
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An apple from the tree of knowledge! He's wolfing it down. He is damned forever, but he has got to wolf it down, the poor glutton.

Related Characters: Galileo Galilei (speaker), The Little Monk
Related Symbols: Apples
Persecution Theme Icon
Ideas as Infection Theme Icon
Greatness Theme Icon
Page Number: 65
Explanation and Analysis:
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Scene 13 Quotes

Wine-pump! Snail-eater! Did you save your precious skin?

Related Characters: Andrea Sarti (speaker), Galileo Galilei, The Little Monk, Federzoni
Persecution Theme Icon
Greatness Theme Icon
Page Number: 94
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Little Monk Quotes in The Life of Galileo

The The Life of Galileo quotes below are all either spoken by The Little Monk or refer to The Little Monk. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Progress vs. Tradition Theme Icon
).
Scene 6 Quotes

Mr. Galilei, before he left Father Clavius said: Now it's up to the theologians to see how they can straighten out the movements of the heavens

once more. You've won.

Related Characters: The Little Monk (speaker), Galileo Galilei
Progress vs. Tradition Theme Icon
Persecution Theme Icon
Greatness Theme Icon
Page Number: 51
Explanation and Analysis:
Scene 8 Quotes

Our poverty has no meaning: hunger is no trial of strength, it’s merely not having eaten: effort is no virtue, it's just bending and carrying. Can you see now why I read into the Holy Congregations decree a noble motherly compassion; a vast goodness of soul?

Related Characters: The Little Monk (speaker), Galileo Galilei
Progress vs. Tradition Theme Icon
Page Number: 63
Explanation and Analysis:
Unlock with LitCharts A+

An apple from the tree of knowledge! He's wolfing it down. He is damned forever, but he has got to wolf it down, the poor glutton.

Related Characters: Galileo Galilei (speaker), The Little Monk
Related Symbols: Apples
Persecution Theme Icon
Ideas as Infection Theme Icon
Greatness Theme Icon
Page Number: 65
Explanation and Analysis:
Unlock with LitCharts A+
Scene 13 Quotes

Wine-pump! Snail-eater! Did you save your precious skin?

Related Characters: Andrea Sarti (speaker), Galileo Galilei, The Little Monk, Federzoni
Persecution Theme Icon
Greatness Theme Icon
Page Number: 94
Explanation and Analysis:
Unlock with LitCharts A+
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