The Kings Who Dodged What They Should Have Done, Part Two: PURGATORIO, Canto VII, Lines 82 - 136

In the last episode of this podcast, we glossed (or explained) the long list of rulers who are in the darkening dale ahead of us, as well as Dante, Virgil, and Sordello.

In this episode, let's ask interpretive questions of this long, difficult passage at the end of PURGATORIO, Canto VII. Some of these questions have answers; some, tentative answers; and some, mere speculation. But that's the intellectual fun of the walk with Dante!

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as I ask ten questions of this tough passage in PURGATORIO.

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

[02:06] My English translation of the passage: Purgatorio, Canto VII, lines 82 - 136. If you'd like to read along or drop a comment to continue the conversation, please go to my website: markscarbrough.com.

[06:28] The ten questions: First, How do we know these are all "negligent rulers"?

[09:45] How is the antiphon "Salve Regina" significant for this passage (and maybe for PURGATORIO as a whole)?

[13:21] Is there an allegorical (or symbolic) significance to the "not steep" approach to this dale?

[14:33] Does the passage verge toward nihilism?

[16:15] Is Dante a proto-democratic thinker?

[18:13] How is political power bestowed in Dante's day?

[19:40] Is there humor in this passage?

[22:16] How does Dante believe political power should be bestowed?

[25:02] How are PURGATORIO Cantos VI and VII connected?

[27:21] Who is the intended audience of this passage?