Category Archives: Dante

The Blessings

“Fall to your knees, fall to your knees! Behold the angel of the Divine! And fold your hands. Expect to see more ministers like him.” After the Pilgrim has girded his waist with a soft reed, as a symbol of … Continue reading

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Dante’s Inferno – Emotions and Rationality

A new series! We’ll look at the first book in Dante’s Divine Comedy, with brief overviews and highlights – and how this work is relevant for understanding and navigating the world better. In this episode we’ll look at the opening, … Continue reading

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Sordello’s Poem “Blacatz”, and its echo in The Valley of Princes.

A look at the Sordello’s most famous Provençal Poem “Blacatz” (c. 1240), and how Dante draws inspiration from this poem in his description of the Valley of Princes in Canto VII of the Purgatory.

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Some highlights from the Aeneid

Here’s a 20 minute Introduction to the “Aeneid Series” on the Ancient World Podcast – with a brief overview and the final battle scenes with Turnus.

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The Aeneid – A Podcast Series

The Flight from Troy, by Federico Barocci. We’ve just finished reading (and recording) the Aeneid by Virgil – and the last episodes will be up from April 1st – April 6th on the subscription podcast! Four episodes covering the second … Continue reading

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Meeting Sordello, in Canto 6

In the slow anticipation of Ante-Purgatory, Virgil and the Pilgrim meet Sordello, an Italian poet and fellow Mantuan of Virgil. “But see that spirit stationed over there, all by himself, the one who looks at us; he will show us … Continue reading

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Focus, and Climbing the Mountain of Virtue

Here are the words from Virgil (as Reason) as they’ve started the climb, but the Pilgrim is too distracted by what the other souls might be whispering: “Keep up with me and let the people talk! Be like a solid … Continue reading

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Climbing the Mountain of Virtue

As the Pilgrim and Virgil pass through the tiny opening in the mountain wall of rocks, Virgil proclaims: “Now, do not change your course, keep climbing up the mountain, close to me, until we find a more experienced guide.” Suggesting … Continue reading

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Finding the start, of a Learning Process

After the Pilgrim has lost his sense of time while being absorbed in a conversation, he and Virgil have the tiny opening in the mountain rock wall pointed out them – symbolic of how hard it could be to find … Continue reading

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The Sense of Time, and being lost in the Moment

In Purgatory 4 Dante comments on the nature of our sense of Time, which is partly related to the context of the Late Repentants – those who were distracted or started late on the Path to seeking deeper, and spiritual, … Continue reading

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