Of Pilgrims, Pilgrimages, And Wonder: PURGATORIO, Canto II, Lines 52 - 75

We begin the second sequence in PURGATORIO, Canto II, with the souls who've been summarily dumped out of the boat onto the shores of the mountain-island. Where should they go? What should they do? They look to Virgil and Dante for answers--who are both clueless as well.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we talk about pilgrims, pilgrimages, hesitancy, and the road to a new life in this gorgeous passage from Dante's PURGATORIO, the second third of COMEDY.

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

[01:05] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto II, lines 52 - 75. If you'd like to read along, print it off, or drop a comment, please go to my website: markscarbrough.com.

[03:22] The first souls in Purgatory are not categorized in any way, reminiscent of the souls who throw themselves into Charon's boat.

[09:07] The second sequence in PURGATORIO, Canto II starts with hesitation, as does the first sequence--but perhaps with a difference. What if hesitancy is the right start toward a new life?

[12:45] Virgil uses the word "pilgrims" for the first time in the poem. Does that mean INFERNO was not part of Dante's pilgrimage?

[16:33] Is Virgil a pilgrim? Can he be?

[21:01] There have been three references to wonder or marvels here and in the previous two cantos, all the way back to INFERNO, Canto XXXIV. Is there a progression here?

[24:18] What news does Dante the pilgrim bring to the shores of Purgatory?

[28:02] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto II, lines 52 - 75.