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The Life of Galileo
Contributor(s): Brecht, Bertolt (Author), Rorrison, Hugh (Editor), Willett, John (Translator)
ISBN: 0413577805     ISBN-13: 9780413577801
Publisher: Methuen Drama
OUR PRICE:   $14.20  
Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats
Published: March 2012
Qty:
Temporarily out of stock - Will ship within 2 to 5 weeks
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Drama | European - General
Dewey: 832.912
Series: Methuen Drama Modern Plays
Physical Information: 0.5" H x 5" W x 7.7" (0.30 lbs) 192 pages
Themes:
- Cultural Region - Germany
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:

This Student Edition of Brecht's classic dramatisation of the conflict between free enquiry and official ideology features an extensive introduction and commentary that includes a plot summary, discussion of the context, themes, characters, style and language as well as questions for further study and notes on words and phrases in the text. It is the perfect edition for students of theatre and literature
Along with Mother Courage, the character of Galileo is one of Brecht's
greatest creations, immensely live, human and complex. Unable to resist
his appetite for scientific investigation, Galileo's heretical
discoveries about the solar system bring him to the attention of the
Inquisition. He is scared into publicly abjuring his theories but,
despite his self-contempt, goes on working in private, eventually
helping to smuggle his writings out of the country.
As an
examination of the problems that face not only the scientist but also
the whole spirit of free inquiry when brought into conflict with the
requirements of government or official ideology, Life of Galileo has few equals. Written in exile in 1937-9 and first performed in Zurich in 1943, Galileo
was first staged in English in 1947 by Joseph Losey in a version
jointly prepared by Brecht and Charles Laughton, who played the title
role. Printed here is the complete translation by John Willett.


Contributor Bio(s): Megson, Chris: - CHRIS MEGSON is Senior Lecturer in Drama and Theatre at Royal Holloway College, University of London, UK. His recent publications include The Methuen Drama Book of Naturalist Plays (2010); his book on The Seventies, for 'Methuen's Decades of Modern British Playwrighting' series, is forthcoming in 2012. He has published widely on British theatre culture since 1968 and documentary/Tribunal theatre.Brecht, Bertolt: -

Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) is acknowledged as one of the great dramatists whose plays, work with the Berliner Ensemble and critical writings have had a considerable influence on the theatre. His landmark plays include The Threepenny Opera, Fear and Misery of the Third Reich, The Life of Galileo, Mother Courage and Her Children and The Caucasian Chalk Circle.