hBjcDQfnMguRXVnjTNgM Mark Scarbrough's WALKING WITH DANTE: Narrow Stairs, Contorted Similes, And The On-Going Poetry Of Hell In PURGATORIO, Canto XII, Lines 100 - 117 - Walking With Dante

Episode 95

Narrow Stairs, Contorted Similes, And The On-Going Poetry Of Hell: PURGATORIO, Canto XII, Lines 100 - 117

Published on: 21st April, 2024

Dante and Virgil begin their climb from the first to the second terrace of Purgatory but as they do, they climb up in an incredibly contorted and difficult simile that swaps around emotional landscapes before landing them in the song of Jesus's beatitudes as well as the screams of hell.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore the climb out in this most difficult simile.

Please consider contributing to underwrite the many fees associated with this otherwise unsponsored podcast. To do so, visit this PayPal link right here.

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

[01:42] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XII, lines 100 - 117. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, please go to my website: markscarbrough.com.

[03:18] The giant simile about the staircase up to San Miniato al Monte and to the second terrace of Purgatory.

[08:50] Four reasons why this simile is so difficult (and perhaps contorted).

[13:29] The body/soul problem once again that ends with the first of the beatitudes.

[15:50] The inescapable landscape of hell.

[19:23] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XII, lines 100 - 117.

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode
Show artwork for Walking With Dante

About the Podcast

Walking With Dante
A passage-by-passage stroll through Dante’s DIVINE COMEDY with Mark Scarbrough
Ever wanted to read Dante's Divine Comedy? Come along with us! We're not lost in the scholarly weeds. (Mostly.) We're strolling through the greatest work (to date) of Western literature. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as I take on this masterpiece passage by passage. I'll give you my rough English translation, show you some of the interpretive knots in the lines, let you in on the 700 years of commentary, and connect Dante's work to our modern world. The pilgrim comes awake in a dark wood, then walks across the known universe. New episodes every Sunday and Wednesday.
Support This Show

About your host

Profile picture for Mark Scarbrough

Mark Scarbrough

Former lit professor, current cookbook writer, creator of two podcasts, writer of thirty-five (and counting) cookbooks, author of one memoir (coming soon!), married to a chef (my cookbook co-writer, Bruce Weinstein), and with him, the owner of two collies, all in a very rural spot in New England. My life's full and I'm up for more challenges!