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.

Posts tagged The sun

Mercury Is So Bright, You Can See The Poetry: PARADISO, Canto V, Lines 115 - 139

Beatrice and Dante encounter their first soul in Mercury. He speaks, then shines so bright that even his features disappear. Not so for the poetic craft in the passage which becomes more prominent, even self-conscious, as the poet is perhaps intent on fulfilling his vows to his readers.

Paradiso Cantos I - VIIMark ScarbroughNovember 11, 2026Beatrice, Mercury, Light, The sunComment

Staring at the Sun: PARADISO, Canto I, Lines 37 - 60

The plot returns to PARADISO! Our pilgrim Dante turns to Beatrice . . . to see her staring into the sun. So he does the same, becoming a reflection of her glory as he also sees the sparking wonder of the heavens above him.

Paradiso Cantos I - VIIMark ScarbroughAugust 2, 2026Light, Beatrice, The sun, St. Paul, The Garden of EdenbComment