The Copernican system (Symbol)
Galileo discovers facts about the universe that confirm Copernicus' view that the universe is heliocentric, rather than the stars rotating around the earth. As the play progresses, the Copernican system itself becomes a symbol for the truth. Galileo's commitment to the Copernican system is representative of his commitment to pursuing truth and disseminating it to the masses. Even after being warned by others about the possible consequences of his research, Galileo continues to work, and it is his suggestion that Copernicus was right, that the planets travel around the sun, that poses the biggest threat to his career and his livelihood.
Galileo's life (Allegory)
This play itself is an allegory. Brecht, the playwright, agrees with Galileo that “the old days are over and this is a new time." They both believe in transforming the society in which they live and in standing up for the truth rather than simply accepting the comfort and safety of the status quo. Brecht wrote the play in Germany, but after fleeing the Nazi regime to America, edited the play to reflect his experiences. Thus, Galileo's experience of an oppressive state that keeps its citizens ignorant and in the dark is an allegory for his experiences in Nazi Germany, where loyalty to the state was prized over everything else. The corruption that Galileo sees and falls victim to is representative of any individual who is searching for the truth and enlightenment within a system that wants to hold that individual back.
The Discorsi (Symbol)
At the end of the play, Andrea visits Galileo expecting to be disappointed by his mentor and the fact that he abandoned his theories to save himself during the Inquisition. He is surprised, however, to find that Galileo has continued to work on his scientific projects and has even written a new text, the Discorsi, which he gives to Andrea to carry across the Italian border to Holland, where it is safer to be a scientist. The text serves as a symbol of Galileo's loyalty to science, and the fact that he is passing off his studies to his young pupil to carry forward into the future.
Wine (Motif)
Throughout the play, Galileo's love of fine wine is referred to, by him and by different characters. It strikes a contrast with his meticulous work ethic and his devotion to science and the more abstract disciplines of astronomy and physics. Wine represents Galileo's connection to earthly pleasures, and his ability to enjoy the finer things, in spite of keeping such a rigorous schedule. His ability to enjoy is as great as his ability to work hard.
Apple (Symbol)
Early in the play, Galileo uses an apple to demonstrate his theory of a heliocentric solar system. In this demonstration, the apple becomes not only a metaphor for the earth, but a symbol of knowledge. In this way, the play follows the tradition of Christian iconography, in which the apple represents the apple of forbidden knowledge in the Garden of Eden. Galileo's intellectual adventurousness, his desire to push the field of science forward, is similar to the story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden apple in the garden.
