Guilty As Charged By Aristotle and Aquinas: PARADISO, Canto IV, Lines 91 - 114

Beatrice develops a sub-point on the concept of free will that proves—at least if you accept the reasoning from Aristotle and Aquinas—that Piccarda and Constance were indeed guilty of breaking their vows, even if they didn’t want to break them. Wanting doesn’t overcome their actions.

Paradiso Cantos I - VIIMark ScarbroughOctober 18, 2026free will, Beatrice, the moon, Constance, Piccarda DonatiComment

The Expanding Community of Women in the Moon: PARADISO, Canto III, Lines 109 - 130

Piccarda Donati turns from the cryptic ending of her personal story to introduce a second woman in the lunar landscape: Constance I of Sicily, mother of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and grandmother of Manfred (PURGATORIO, Canto III). The canto then ends with as many questions as it answers.

Paradiso Cantos I - VIIMark ScarbroughSeptember 23, 2026Piccarda Donati, Constance, Frederick II, Manfred, The moon, moon spotsComment

Piccarda Donati's Apotheosis of the Will: PARADISO, Canto III, Lines 58 - 87

Piccarda Donati has confessed her more humble position in the rotating heavens. Dante then wants to know why she doesn’t want more. Her answer leads her to the larger workings of the universe and an apotheosis of the will, as hers dissolves into the larger will that guides the universe.

Here are the episodes for the opening cantos of PARADISO. The podcast is currently into Canto III. Because of the way my website is coded, the episodes appear in reverse order. Sorry about that. Scroll through the list to find earlier (or the earliest) episode.