PURGATORIO, Episode 177. Going In Circles To Go Forward: PURGATORIO, Canto XXII, Lines 115 - 129

Our pilgrim, Virgil, and Statius arrive on the otherwise empty sixth terrace of Mount Purgatory. Virgil seems more hesitant. And our pilgrim, Dante, more passive, as he listens to the two older, wiser poets discuss the craft of poetry.

 This passage represents the paradox of circularity and linearity, of stasis and advancement, that is the major structural (and thematic!) tension in COMEDY.

Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[02:01] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXII, lines 115 - 129. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, please drop down this page.

[03:23] Circularity and linearity: the crux paradox of COMEDY.

[08:37] Marking the temporal as a reality claim in COMEDY.

[13:25] A possible change in Virgil's characterization.

[16:25] Learning the craft of poetry (to engage the play of quotation and interpretation).

[21:12] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXII, lines 115 - 129.

And here’s my translation of PURGATORIO, Canto XXII, Lines 115 – 129

Already, both of the poets had fallen silent,

Trying at this moment to look around us,

Since they were now freed from the climb and the walls.

Already, four of the day’s handmaids

Remained behind us, and the fifth was up top,

Pointing its burning horn straight up,

When my leader [said], “I believe we should turn

So that our right sides are facing out,

Going around this mountain as we always have.”

In this way, custom was our banner.

We took our way with less hesitation

Because of this worthy soul’s climb [with us].

They went along ahead, and I by myself

Bringing up the rear and listening to their discourse,

Which was teaching me how to write poetry.