Doctor Copernicus: Analysis of Major Characters
"Doctor Copernicus: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate lives and relationships surrounding Nicolas Copernicus, a pivotal figure in the history of astronomy and cosmology. Central to the narrative is Copernicus himself, who grapples with personal loss and social awkwardness while dedicating his life to scholarly pursuits in a time of rigid philosophical and theological norms. Raised by his uncle, Bishop Lucas Waczelrodt, he is thrust into ecclesiastical duties while simultaneously striving to develop his unorthodox scientific theories, which ultimately leads to his delay in publishing his groundbreaking work, *De revolutionibus*.
The overview also highlights the contrasting character of Andreas Koppernigk, Copernicus' older brother, whose hedonistic lifestyle serves as a foil to Nicolas' asceticism, leading to tragic consequences. Other key figures include George Joachim von Lauchen, known as Rheticus, who pressures Copernicus to publish his work while harboring ulterior motives, and Bishop Giese, who acts as a protective figure amidst the challenges Copernicus faces from the religious establishment. The narrative further includes a range of characters who influence Copernicus' life, from his cousin Anna Schillings, who becomes embroiled in the rumors that tarnish his reputation, to the intellectuals of the Renaissance who both inspire and disillusion him. Through these interactions, the complexities of ambition, truth, and societal expectations are vividly illustrated, providing a rich context for understanding the man who revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.
Doctor Copernicus: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: John Banville
First published: 1976
Genre: Novel
Locale: Ermland, Prussia, and Italy
Plot: Historical
Time: 1473–1543
Nicolas Koppernigk (KOH-pehr-nihk), known as Copernicus (kuh-PUHR-nih-kuhs), the central character, son of a provincial merchant in the Ermland province of late medieval Prussia. He becomes a canon, a scholar, and an astronomer, ultimately revolutionizing the central concepts of astronomy and cosmology. After losing his mother at an early age and his father before he is ten years old, Nicolas is reared by his Uncle Lucas, a bishop, who has him educated in the church for the ecclesiastical life. Phenomenally quick at his studies, Nicolas is less adept socially, as he is shy, retiring, retreating before bullies, and uncomfortable with the physical. Perhaps because of his nature, he gives himself easily to the intellectual world, particularly to geography and astronomy, the mathematical triumphs of the period. He develops a fierce allegiance to truth as mathematically demonstrated. Because of this mathematical orientation, he begins to formulate the principles of a scientific method; recognizing that this will threaten philosophical and theological orthodoxy, however, he temporizes. His entire life is a struggle between the abstract to which he is drawn and the concrete that is forced on him. Thus, he repeatedly discovers that what life offers is not what he wants. The church offers security and membership in an elite class; the university offers academic prestige and membership in another elite class. During his episode in Italy, his fellow intellectuals offer love, both in fellowship and physically. Each appeals to different aspects of his personality. Each also requires, however, both accepting the status quo and abandoning his eccentric theories, that is, his unorthodox pursuit of the truth. This conflict leads him to delay publication of his masterwork, De revolutionibus, until he is on his deathbed.
Andreas Koppernigk, Nicolas' older brother, a playboy and a sensualist. As frivolous as Nicolas is single-minded and serious, Andreas addresses himself solely to the sport of living. As a boy at school, he constantly torments and teases his master; later, at the university and after, he pursues only pleasure. As a result, he suffers the physical consequences of such a course in that period of primitive medicine: His body deteriorates rapidly. His suicidal lack of self-control and restraint is his chief characteristic and leads him to paradoxical extremes. For example, he is at times the chief advocate and exponent of Nicolas' radical ideas; at others, he embarrasses, drains, and burdens Nicolas by demanding money for support (and further extravagance). He is the indulgent counterpart to the asceticism of Nicolas, and the two share a common fatalism. Andreas becomes one of the early victims of the syphilis epidemic of the late fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries and literally rots to death.
George Joachim von Lauchen (yo-AH-khihm fon LOWkhehn), called Rheticus, a Lutheran neo-Ptolemaic astronomer and assistant to Nicolas. a flamboyant publicist rather than a true scientist, Rheticus attempts to pressure Nicolas into publishing his book; however, his motives are hardly above reproach. His real object is to make his own reputation out of refuting the Copernican theory once it is published. He also contributes to the public discredit of Nicolas by seducing one of the boy-wards of the chapter. Because he resides for a time in Nicolas' house, however, he is able to challenge the accusation that Nicolas' housekeeper actually is his mistress. Rheticus does publish two preliminary summaries of the Copernican theories.
Lucas Waczelrodt (VAK-tsehl-roht), the bishop of Ermland, Nicolas'maternal uncle. After the early death of Nicolas'parents, Bishop Waczelrodt adopts and educates Nicolas and Andreas. He arranges for both to become canons of his chapter, or minor clergy assigned to his cathedral, and he sends both to the university in Cracow and later to represent the chapter in Rome. Eventually, he appoints Nicolas as court physician at Heilsberg. Externally a blunt, abrupt, unsympathetic man concerned only with his administrative image, the bishop does care for and protect his wards, though he is quite ready to have Andreas killed when he becomes an embarrassment by his excesses.
Tiedeman Giese (TEE-deh-mahn GEE-seh), a fellow canon with Nicolas, later his visitator, or supervisor, and successor to Waczelrodt as bishop. a friend and admirer of Nicolas, Giese attempts to shelter him from the attacks of those who find his theories blasphemous and dangerous and are willing to seize on any pretext to humiliate and silence him.
Johannes Flachsbinder (FLAKS-bihn-dehr), called Danticus, the bishop of Kulm (at Löbau), Nicolas' nominal superior in his later years. Concerned like most ecclesiastics with appearances of propriety, he is rigid about cases of apparent scandal. Thus, he keeps putting pressure on Giese and Nicolas to remove any traces of impropriety from their jurisdictions. He seems to be doing little more than using the administrative tactic of keeping on the pressure.
Girolamo Fracastoro (jee-roh-LAH-moh frah-kah-STOHroh), a poet and member of the group of avant-garde intellectuals and revolutionary thinkers in Ferrara. Languorous, charming, and arrogant, Girolamo fascinates the young Nicolas and attempts to entice him into the intellectual elite. When Nicolas learns that Girolamo actually is wealthy and that his support of new ideas is a glamorous pose, he loses faith in intellectuals.
Anna Schillings, Nicolas' cousin and eventually his housekeeper. Abandoned by her husband and left with two children during the military upheavals of the time, she throws herself on Nicolas' mercy as her final resort. He gives in, reluctantly, and for the remaining years of his life she lives with him as his housekeeper, providing a source for the rumors that were used to discredit him.
Domenico Maria de Novara (doh-MEHN-ee-koh mahREE-ah deh noh-VAH-rah), an astronomer, advocate of the new learning of the Renaissance, Neoplatonist mystic, and leader of the intellectual elite. Nicolas is at first dazzled by the apparent depth of his learning and his devotion to revolutionary causes but then discovers that both are closer to rhetorical and verbal manipulation than to rational analysis and demonstration.