PURGATORIO, Episode 203. The Pilgrim Writes His Way Into Revelation: PURGATORIO, Canto XXVI, Lines 49 - 66

We've seen the two crowds of the lustful on the seventh terrace of Mount Purgatory and we clearly identified them in the last passage (and on the last episode of this podcast).

But Dante the pilgrim didn't know who they were. He's stuck, confused. He then seeks to break out his manuscript and rule his paper to find his way into the shocking revelation that love in the body can exist in more than one form.

Let’s look at this small passage on the seventh terrace, sandwiched between the two big revelations and before the last major discussion of poetry on Mount Purgatory.

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The segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:51] My English translation of PURGATORIO, Canto XXVI, lines 49 - 66. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me by dropping a comment on this episode, please scroll down this page.

[04:34] Reading and interpreting through the passage for its metaphoric, rhetorical, and thematic knots.

[14:58] One question from the passage: Why is the body so crucial to this discussion?

[17:03] A second question: What about this passage brings up the mechanics of writing?

[19:29] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXVI, lines 49 - 66.

My English translation of PURGATORIO, Canto XXVI, Lines 49 – 66:

The ones who’d asked me questions before

Came right up next to me

And appeared by their looks eager to listen.

I, who had twice seen the wish for gratification in their faces,

began, “O souls, sure of getting to

A state of peace, whenever that might be,

“My limbs, neither green nor ripe, have not been left

Down there but are all here

With my own blood and joints.

“I’m headed up this way so that I won’t be blind anymore.

A lady is up above. She gave me the grace

To bring my mortal self into your world.

“But so that your greatest wish can

Soon be satisfied and so that heaven can provide you lodging—

After all, it’s so full of love and offers ample space—

“Tell me, so that I can rule paper for it,

Who you are and who is in that crowd

Which is now headed the other way behind your backs?”