hBjcDQfnMguRXVnjTNgM Mark Scarbrough's WALKING WITH DANTE: The Easy Climb Into Complex Meaning In PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, Lines 1 - 2 - Walking With Dante

Episode 99

The Easy Climb Into Complex Meaning: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, Lines 1 - 21

Published on: 12th May, 2024

Dante the pilgrim and his guide, Virgil, have arrived at the second terrace of Purgatory proper. As readers, we're not even sure what this terrace is about, although we can infer there must be more penitents ahead.

Instead, Dante the poet offers us rather straightforward, naturalistic details, a complex neologism (a new word he coined), a crazy line that has many interpretations possible, and then a pagan prayer in the afterlife of the redeemed.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we walk into the second terrace and immediately stumble over what at first glance looks like a fairly simple passage. That's why we're slow-walking across Dante's known universe!

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

[01:09] My English translation of PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, lines 1- 21. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, please go to my website, markscarbrough.com.

[03:22] The naturalistic, straightforward details complete with a surprising neologism (or newly coined word).

[08:12] A deeply ambiguous line smack in the middle of rather simple details.

[12:02] Virgil's haste and his internalization of Cato's ethic, as well as Dante's increasingly complicated relationship with the old poet.

[15:29] Virgil's pagan prayer to the sun.

[23:40] My take: Virgil, the pagan, makes a full appearance here on the second terrace of Purgatory.

[29:02] Virgil, blinded.

[31:42] A rereading of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, lines 1 - 21.

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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.
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About your host

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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!