Dante our pilgrim and his guide, Virgil, have come across a flock of sheep-like souls at the very bottom rung of Mount Purgatory. They've fallen in with them, going in front, when one of these humbled souls steps out and gives the first great monologue of PURGATORIO.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we encounter Manfred, Emperor Frederick II's illegitimate son, at the base of Mount Purgatory. This passage is strange and unexpected, about as strange for Dante's audience as the appearance of Cato was for us.

We'll only cover the first "half" of Manfred's speech in this episode. Here are its segments:

 [02:22] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto III, lines 103 - 120. If you'd like to read along, print it off, or drop a comment to continue the conversation, please scroll down this page.

[04:14] Who is Manfred?

[09:14] Who is the Empress Constance? And who is Manfred's daughter, mentioned in the passage?

[10:50] The big surprise is that Manfred is not in hell!

[13:12] What is the pilgrim Dante's reaction to Manfred? Why would Manfred (dead in 1266 CE) expect Dante to recognize him?

[17:27] Why does Manfred smile?

[19:49] Why are Manfred's wounds still visible?

[24:40] A structure analysis of the middle part of PURGATORIO, Canto III.

And here’s my English translation of Purgatorio, Canto III, Lines 103 – 120

And one of them began, “Whoever

You might be, as you go along, turn your face back toward me.

Consider whether you ever saw me back over there.”

 

I turned toward him and stared hard.

He was gorgeous and blond, with noble features,

Although one of his eyebrows had been slashed through by a blow.

 

When I courteously replied that I’d never seen his face before,

He said, “Okay, check this out.”

He showed me a gash at the top of his chest.

 

Then he smiled and said, “I’m Manfred,

Grandson of the Empress Constance.

So I beg you, when you return,

 

“To go to my beautiful daughter, mother

Of the honor of Sicily and Aragon.

Tell her the truth, no matter what else is said.

 

“After I had my body shredded

By two fatal stabs, I, wailing, gave myself back

To the one who pardons so willingly.