Doctor Copernicus (Masterplots II: British and Commonwealth Fiction Series)
At a glance:
- Author: John Banville
- First Published: 1976
- Type of Work: Historical novel
- Time of Work: 1473-1543
- Setting: Ermland, Prussia, and Italy
- Principal Characters: Nicholas Koppernigk (Copernicus), Andreas Koppernigk, Lucas Waczelrodt, Girolamo Fracastro, Georg Joachim von Lauchen (Rhetucus)
- Genres: Long fiction, Historical fiction
- Subjects: Gay men, Homosexuality or homosexuals, Art or artists, Science or scientists, Alienation, Creative process, Fifteenth century, Sixteenth century, Work or workers, Italy or Italians, Biography, Discoveries, Astronomy or astronomers, Intellect
- Locales: Italy, Prussia, Ermland
The Novel
John Banville’s fourth published work of fiction, Doctor Copernicus, has for its subject the nature of creativity but takes for its approach the framework of biography. Beginning with the accession of its hero to language, the novel sketches the family background, schooling, experience of the world, and involvement with the politics of the time of Nicholas Koppernigk, Copernicus, while consistently maintaining its focus on his unique—indeed, revolutionary—intellect. As a feat of organization, Doctor Copernicus is certainly impressive, and even more impressive is...
[The entire page is 2214 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
