Virgil's Bitter Distress: Purgatorio, Canto III, Lines 22 - 45

Dante the pilgrim has been shocked by his shadow, the only one against the rock. Is he alone? No, Virgil's there, still his comfort.

Or is he? Virgil sets into an explanation for why bodies cast shadows, then gets lost in his own sorrow in one of the most astounding speeches in all of COMEDY.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we tease out the implications for Virgil's rich but very disconcerting reply.

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

[02:07] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto III, lines 22 - 45. If you'd like to read along, print it off, or leave a comment about this episode, please go to my website, markscarbrough.com.

[04:52] The story of Virgil's death and burial--and thus, of his body, which he lacks.

[07:43] Virgil's bitterness: I'm star stuff but damned; I've got divine reason but I can't figure out the workings of the universe.

[12:57] Virgil's address to all of humanity: a final riddle that seems to negate the incarnation while also celebrating it at the same time.

[19:00] The rhymes in this passage further develop our understanding of Virgil's character.

[21:18] Can Virgil be a comfort for Dante?

[25:06] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto III, lines 22 - 45.