The Diversity of Being in a Universe of Light: PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 106 - 126

Beatrice now launches into the true explanation for moon spots, found not in folklore, not in natural philosophy, but in metaphysics.

Her explanation pushes her to disclose the parts of the universe we could never see, then lets her discuss diversity as a function of the light falling from the stars through the planets to us.

A gorgeously poetic passage, it also raises many more questions than it answers . . . . questions that will trouble PARADISO for cantos to come.

The segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:45] My English translation of PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 106 - 126. If you'd like to read along or drop a comment on this episode to continue the conversation, find its entry on my website, markscarbrough.com.

[04:10] An overview of the three explanations for moon spots and of the structure of this passage.

[06:27] Beatrice's metaphysical explanation for moon spots.

[16:32] Dante's fully aligned (and thus broken) cosmos.

[19:05] Two astrological implications from Beatrice's metaphysics.

[22:41] Beatrice's metaphors in the passage.

[26:37] Rereading PARADISO, Canto II, lines 106 - 126.

My English translation of PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 106 - 126:

[Beatrice continued:] “As when snow is

Hit by hot rays [of light] and the underlying principle [thereafter] remains naked

Of its initial color and cold,

“I want to now infuse your intellect,

Stripped likewise, with such a lively light

That it will shimmer in its facets for you.

“Inside the heaven of divine peace,

A body revolves in whose power is

The ‘to be’ of all that it contains.

“The subsequent heaven, which has a lot of sights,

Distributes this ‘to be’ into diverse essences,

Which are differentiated in it but also contained by it.

“All the other circles in varying ways

Direct their distinguishing features

To their own ends and seedings.

“In such a way, these organs of the world come forth

Bit by bit, as you now see.

They take from above and make it [for] below.

“Look well at how I go along

From this place to the truth that you desire.

Thus, you’ll know eventually how to take on the ford yourself. . . .”