HISTORY

World History Play

Galileo on TrialFour centuries ago, an Italian scientist dared to claim thatEarth revolved around the sun—at the risk of his life.

Galileo Galilei, mathematiciar) andastronomer

*Vasco Conti, student*Bernardo Castino, professor at the

University of PaduaCardinal Robert Bellarmine, official

of the Romar) Catholic ChurchPope Urban Vlil, head of the Roman

Catholic Church'Cardinal Verdi advisers to•Cardinal Sama Pope Urban'Inquisitor'Bishop Dina, official of the InquisitionNarrators A-E'Indicates o fictional or compositecharacter. All others were real people.

Words to Knowheresy (n): a view contraryto church teachingsheretic (n): one accused ofholding dangerous beliefsInquisition (n): an official courtofthe Roman Catholic Churchcreated to root out heresyRenaissance (n): a Europeancultural movement; in Italy, fromabout the early 1300s to 1600Scientific Revolution (n): an eraof great scientific advancement

i in the 16th and l?th centuries

Narrator A: During the MiddleAges (400s-1400s A.D.), the centerof life and learning for most ofEurope was the Roman CatholicChurch. Challenging the doctrines,or official teachings, of the churchand its leader, the Pope, was avery risky business. A personbranded a heretic could be impris-oned, exiled, or even executed.

But in the 1300s, a flowering oflearning and creativity called theRenaissance started in Italy. For thefirst time, people openly questionedthe church's authority. This ques-tioning would continue with GalileoGalilei, a leader of a new era ofexperimentation called the ScientifícRevolution. He challenged a centralteaching of the church—that thesun and the planets revolve aroundEarth. Speaking this truth puthim on a collision course with thechurch's most powerful leaders.

Narrator B: Born in the city ofPisa in 1564, Galileo is a man oftireless curiosity. He is a professorat the University of Padua in 1609when he builds a telescope andbegins recording his observationsof the planets and stars. One eve-ning in 1610, a student visits him.Galileo Galilei: Vasco, come here

and look through my telescope.Vasco Conti: That's amazing, sir.I recognize the planet Jupiter—butwhat do I see near it?Galileo: Its moons. They orbitJupiter hke our moon orbits Earth.Conti: I can see so many morestars through this device!Galileo: It makes the heavensclearer than ever before.Narrator C: But some professorsdon't approve of Galileo's studies.One comes to see him.Bernardo Castino: Professor,we're disturbed that your so-calleddiscoveries may be supporting thedangerous views of Copernicus.Narrator D: Nicolaus Copernicuswas a Polish astronomer who, acentury before, had said that Earthrevolved around the sun—contraryto the church's teachings.Galileo: I seek only to learn howour universe works. Come, lookthrough my telescope!Castino: I will not! God madeEarth to be His human home andthe sun and all the heavenly bod-ies to turn around it. It is heresyto suggest otherwise.

SCIENIE TWO M BNarrator E: Galileo's observationsprove to him that Copernicus wasright—but he is cautious aboutsaying so. When he publishes a

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SEARCHINGTHE HEAVENSAfter developing the mostpowerful telescope todate, Galileo accuratelydescribes the roughsurface of the moon.

1 HISTORY

book about his findings. StarryMessenger, his reputation grows.But he also begins to attractenemies. Some report him to theRoman Inquisition. Alarmed,Galileo goes to Rome in 1615 todefend himself. There, one of thechurch's cardinals warns him.Cardinal Robert Bellarmine: Myfriend, your views have gotten youinto deep trouble with the church.Galileo: I don't mean any dis-respect. I simply use the methodsof observation and science to learnthe truth—Beliarmine (interrupting): I'll tellyou the truth. If your methodslead you to defend the theories ofCopernicus, the Inquisition willimprison you—or worse. Rememberthat another stargazer, GiordanoBruno, was burned at the stake afew years ago for doing the same.Galileo (shaken): Of course. I willobey the holy church's decisions.Narrator A: Soon after, theInquisition formally declares thatthe writings of Copernicus are her-esy. Galileo must be cautious.

Back in Florence,where he now lives, Galileoresumes his research quietly. Butin time, he again begins writingabout and defending the methodsof science. In 1625, Pope UrbanVIII agrees to let him write a newbook, but only if Copernicus'sviews are discussed as theoryinstead of fact. Published in 1633,the book. Dialogues Concerning theTwo Chief World Systems, gets anexplosive reaction. At a meeting ofthe Pope's inner circle . . .Pope Urban VIII (furious): CardinalVerdi, tell the others what Galileohas written.Cardinal Verdi: In the book, three

people discuss theories about themovement of the universe.Cardinal Sama: Theories? Thespeakers in Galileo's book advancethe heresies of Copernicus as ifthey were fact.Pope: And he puts words of minein the mouth of a simpleton,whom he is clearly ridiculing.Narrator C: The Inquisition ordersall copies of the book to be confis-cated—and its author to stand trialin Rome for teaching heresy.

SCIEiSilE FOUR MMNarrator D: By now, Galileo is69, in poor health, and terrifiedof what the Inquisition might doto him. On April 12, 1633, he iscalled to appear before a panel.

verdict. Over the next two months,Galileo is called before theInquisition two more times. Hegrows sicker and more frightened.Finally, on June 22 . . .Bishop Dina: We've reached a ver-dict and find you guilty of heresy.Galileo: Please don't hurt me.Forgive a tired old man.Dina: Kneel and renounce yourheresy!Galileo: With all my heart I cursemy errors. I will never again con-tradict the holy church.

Narrator U. The trials left Galileo abroken man. Because of his condi-tion, he was allowed to spend theremaining years of his life under

Inquisitor: You were told not toteach the theories of Copernicus asfact. Confess your guilt!Galileo: But, sir, I did just as HisHoliness the Pope instructed me.Inquisitor: You answer deceit-fully. So it's just the people inyour book who speak heresy, is it?Do you think we're stupid?Galileo (stammering): Of coursenot. I meant no harm.Narrator E: The Inquisitiondoesn't reach a verdict at first.Galileo is held as a prisoner andthen summoned again on April 30.Inquisitor: Your book is inflictinggrave damage on the church.Galileo (haltingly): I would neverharm the church. Perhaps I gavemore emphasis to the case forCopernicus than I should have.Narrator A: There is still no

house arrest. But in the end, hisideas could not be ignored. In 1992,350 years after his death, the RomanCatholic Church officially admittedthat Galileo had been right.

Today, Galileo's contributionsto modern science (see p. 19) areconsidered indispensable. In 1989,when NASA launched a spaceprobe to examine the mysteries ofJupiter and its moons, the probewas named Galileo. —Bryan Brown

f^ Think About It

Which conclusion of Galileo'sdid the church object to?

2 Why do you think Galileoadmitted guilt at the end? Mightyou have done the same in hissituation? Why or why not?

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