PURGATORIO, Episode 241. Beatrice And The Griffin: PURGATORIO, Canto XXXI, Lines 112 - 126

Dante has now crossed Lethe and is ready to face Beatrice head on. She has moved to get ready for this eye-to-eye conversation. She's positioned nearer the griffin, a complicated symbol that may have more than one interpretation.

The segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:19] My English translation of PURGATORIO, Canto XXXI, Lines 112 - 126. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, scroll down this page.

[02:44] Beatrice has moved . . . but where?

[05:09] With her emerald eyes, Beatrice and Dante finally escape the Francesca episode.

[09:15] Dante is the Orpheus who can look into the eyes of his Eurydice.

[10:49] Here are at least two additional interpretations for the griffin.

[13:58] Beatrice's eyes are the methodology of revelation (and mystery).

[16:41] The passage drops the first hint about Jesus' transfiguration.

[18:50] Reflection is transfiguring, as in the craft of poetry.

[19:34] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXXI, lines 112 - 126.

My English translation of PURGATORIO, Canto XXXI, Lines 112 – 126

In this way, they began singing and then

Led me to the griffin’s breast,

Where Beatrice stood, turned to us.

They said, “Don’t try to spare your vision.

We have stationed you in front of the emeralds

From whence Amor already drew his bow at you.”

A thousand desires hotter than any flame

Pulled my eyes to her shining eyes,

Which, lifted up, hadn’t moved from the griffin.

Like the sun in a mirror, in no other way

The double beast shone in there,

Now with one, now with his other modality.

Think, reader, if I marveled

When I saw that the thing remained itself in itself

And yet was transformed in its reflection.