The Seven Addresses To The Reader In PURGATORIO

Dante, the poet, steps out of the story seven times in PURGATORIO to address his reader directly--sometimes to spur the reader on to action, sometimes to put a bridle on the reader's intentions or thoughts.

If we trace these seven addresses, can we find a developmental pattern? Or uncover Dante's changing attitude toward his work? Or toward his reader? Can we see a growing frustration or even fear about what lies ahead in COMEDY?

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we work our way through these seven call-outs to find ways to summarize the greater work and ingenuity of PURGATORIO.

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

[01:31] PURGATORIO, Canto VIII, Lines 19 - 21.

[05:23] PURGATORIO, Canto IX, Lines 70 - 72.

[08:00] PURGATORIO, Canto X, Lines 106 - 111.

[11:55] PURGATORIO, Canto XVII, Lines 1 - 9.

[15:39] PURGATORIO, Canto XXIX, Lines 97 - 105.

[19:20] PURGATORIO, Canto XXXI, Lines 124 - 126.

[22:22] PURGATORIO, Canto XXXIII, Lines 136 - 138.