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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the Grand Duke want from Galileo when he and Virginia wait to be recognized?

2. What happens to Virginia at the end of Scene VIII?

3. Where does Scene VII open?

4. What kind of clock is Galileo presented with as a gift from Cardinal Bellarmin?

5. According to the person from the Grand Duke's Palace, what bell will ring when Galileo recants his teachings?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Galileo state that he prefers healthy oysters?

2. Why does Galileo think that Cardinal Bellarmin gifted him a Cellini clock?

3. What problems does Virginia find with Galileo traveling to Padua and taking time off?

4. Why does The Grand Duke ask Galileo about his eyesight?

5. Why does Galileo use the satire of Horace to explain the necessity of all parts of his study being present in his observations?

6. In the opening of Scene VII, why does the "Little Monk" admit to Galileo that he has not been able to sleep?

7. What were the problems that Galileo faced with living in both Florence and the Republic regarding the Discorsi?

8. What does Brecht mean when he wrote, "The depths are hot, the heights are chill. The streets are loud, the court is still" at the opening of Scene IX?

9. What was Galileo speaking about to the "Little Monk" when he spoke of his feelings for beauty and truth?

10. What do the experiment with the iron needle and water prove?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"I am entirely in agreement with the position taken up by Cardinal Spoletti towards the mutinous rope-makers, namely, that it is better to dole out soup in the name of Christian brotherly love than to pay them more for their" hawsers and bell-ropes. For surely it must be wiser to fortify their faith rather than their greed. The Apostle Paul said: Charity aboundeth." Galileo made the following statement in response to a question posed by Monsignor Carpula for the archbishop. After making the statement, Galileo worried if one could see any irony in the statement. Discuss the possible irony that Galileo worried about. What could one find that was ironic in the statement? Why could this be considered ironic? What trouble would it cause for Galileo if one did find irony in the statement?

Essay Topic 2

What do you think was the main theme of the play? Discuss your answer using evidence gathered to support your claim. Why did you think that this was the theme of the play? What support did you find in the play? Why did this support your claim for this being the theme?

Essay Topic 3

Galileo was surrounded by students throughout most of the play. Choose the student that you found to be the most loyal and least loyal to Galileo. Compare two characters. Use textual evidence to support your answer.

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