In "Portrayal of the Church," Werner Hecht makes the argument that the Roman Catholic Church is not necessarily negatively portrayed in Life of Galileo, but rather, the church was simply the authority figure concerning science at the time of the play. Hecht therefore claims that Life of Galileo "shows the temporary victory of authority, not the victory of the priesthood,” highlighting the fact that the antagonistic presence in this play is simply whatever entity was in power of scientific discovery at the time, which happened to be the church.
Taking Hecht's argument into account, do we believe Brecht had any intention to portray the Roman Catholic Church in a negative light? The church certainly acts as the antagonistic presence in the play, is this presence and the acts committed by the church negated by the fact that it is simply the vessel of Galileo's battle versus authority, and therefore still on good moral standing in the play?
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