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 Procurator Character Analysis

The Procurator is Galileo’s superior at Padua University. He is sensitive to Galileo’s genius and need for more money, even if he can’t help Galileo get a raise. A product of his time, the Procurator values both philosophy and theology over religion and he regrets that someone of Galileo’s obviously formidable talent should have chosen a career in base mathematics. The Procurator is especially proud of Padua University as a bastion of free thought.

The Procurator Quotes in The Life of Galileo

The The Life of Galileo quotes below are all either spoken by The Procurator or refer to The Procurator. 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 1 Quotes

God help us, I'm not half as sharp as those gentlemen in the philosophy department. I'm stupid. I understand absolutely nothing. So I'm compelled to fill the gaps in my knowledge. And when am I supposed to do that? When am I to get on with my research?

Related Characters: Galileo Galilei (speaker), The Procurator
Work vs. Passion Theme Icon
Greatness Theme Icon
Page Number: 13
Explanation and Analysis:
Scene 2 Quotes

Today a world-famous scholar is offering you, and you alone, a highly marketable tube, for you to manufacture and sell as and how you wish.

Related Characters: The Procurator (speaker), Galileo Galilei
Ideas as Infection Theme Icon
Work vs. Passion Theme Icon
Greatness Theme Icon
Page Number: 19
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Procurator Quotes in The Life of Galileo

The The Life of Galileo quotes below are all either spoken by The Procurator or refer to The Procurator. 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 1 Quotes

God help us, I'm not half as sharp as those gentlemen in the philosophy department. I'm stupid. I understand absolutely nothing. So I'm compelled to fill the gaps in my knowledge. And when am I supposed to do that? When am I to get on with my research?

Related Characters: Galileo Galilei (speaker), The Procurator
Work vs. Passion Theme Icon
Greatness Theme Icon
Page Number: 13
Explanation and Analysis:
Scene 2 Quotes

Today a world-famous scholar is offering you, and you alone, a highly marketable tube, for you to manufacture and sell as and how you wish.

Related Characters: The Procurator (speaker), Galileo Galilei
Ideas as Infection Theme Icon
Work vs. Passion Theme Icon
Greatness Theme Icon
Page Number: 19
Explanation and Analysis:
Unlock with LitCharts A+
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