Galileo by Bertolt Brecht (Questions with Answers)

Significance of telescope in Galileo.

      Galileo, the character who has been given a central role in the play with the same name is a scientist credited with the invention of telescope and the instrument stands for the spirit of science. Telescope is a tool used by astronomers to find out the facts about the heavenly bodies and their movement. It is the window through which scientists can get the objective knowledge of the world. It is opposed to religions orthodoxy which stands for superstition, blind faith and ignorance as well as status quo. What Galileo does with the telescope is the key to understand the conflict in the play. The tension is between science represented by Galileo and telescope and the orthodoxy of religion represented by church and the different people of the ecclesiastical hierarchy. Read More...

Write an essay on Brecht's dramatic technique in Galileo.

      Brecht’s theory of theatre known as ‘Epic Theatre’ is an anti illusionist theatre that runs counter to Aristotelian ‘Theatre of Illusion’. It is in the light of this ‘Epic Theatre’ that we need to understand his dramatic technique. By using long pauses, harsh lightening, empty stages, episodic plot, placards announcing the change of scenes, concept of anti-hero, alienation effect or estrange3ment, narrative form and violation imposed by traditional dramatic form. Brecht’s dramatic technique is intended to create an effect of estrangement among the audience by making the characters declare boldly that whatever the audience is watching is only play-an illusion not reality. Read More...

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    Eugene O'Neill: Desire Under the Elms    O’Neill presents women as victims of male’s greed and cruelty and at the same time it is women who are driven by a desire for property. They are shown as lustful too. To bring out this image of women O’Neill resorts to myth, symbol and the technique of naturalism. Read More...

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    Lady Gregory: The Rising of the Moon     Lady Gregory’s The Rising of the Moon is an explicitly political play dealing with the relation between England and Ireland trying to fight for freedom from English rule. Read More...