Question

As you read the paragraph below about the later years of the astronomer Galileo’s life.

On October 1, 1632, Galileo received an order to appear before the Inquisition at Rome on the grave charge of heresy, or teaching something different from what the Catholic Church taught. Galileo begged to be able to answer the charges from his own home instead of traveling to Rome, due to his advanced age and his failing health. The Pope, however, refused Galileo’s request; he said that he had warned Galileo of his danger while he was still his friend, and now the command could not be disobeyed. Galileo might perform the journey as slowly as he pleased, the Pope said, but it was absolutely necessary that set forth for Rome, and at once.

What textual evidence could you cite to show that Galileo became unwell sometime before October 1?

On October 1, 1632, Galileo received an order to appear before the Inquisition at Rome on the grave charge of heresy,

Galileo might perform the journey as slowly as he pleased, the Pope said, but it was absolutely necessary that set forth for Rome, and at once.

Galileo begged to be able to answer the charges from his own home instead of traveling to Rome, due to his advanced age and his failing health.

The Pope, however, refused Galileo’s request; he said that he had warned Galileo of his danger while he was still his friend, and now the command could not be disobeyed.

Answer 1

The sentence: "Galileo begged to be able to answer the charges from his own home instead of traveling to Rome, due to his advanced age and his failing health."

The phrase "his failing health" is the textual evidence that he had become unwell by that time.