Tag Archives: paradiso

Adam in Paradiso

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Richard Emerson

Here are the words from Adam to the Pilgrim in Paradiso – as to why they were metaphorically expelled from the Garden of Eden: Know now, my son, the tasting of the tree was not itself the cause of such … Continue reading →

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Aiming one’s Love

Posted on July 12, 2021 by ancientworld

In the third and final examination, conducted by St. John, the Pilgrim is asked “what is it that your Soul is set upon.” The answer is firstly; the Good. “The Good, that full contentment of this Court, is Alpha and … Continue reading →

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The Definition of Hope

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Richard Emerson

In the second examination the Pilgrim has to define “Hope”. His answer is: “Hope is sure expectancy of future bliss to be inherited – the holy fruit of the Divine’s own grace and man’s precedent worth.” He then says it … Continue reading →

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The Definition of Faith

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Richard Emerson

In the first of the three examinations for the Pilgrim in Paradiso he has to define “Faith.” His answer is: “Faith is the substance of those hoped-for things, and argument for things we have not seen.” And the reason that … Continue reading →

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Morning!

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Richard Emerson

Wednesday morning, and the latest reading of Dante’s Paradiso is slowing sinking in with great new discoveries from the very last pages. How Dante is making the point of what could be the deepest question and mystery to ponder, about … Continue reading →

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Examination by St. Peter, St. James and St. John

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Richard Emerson

In the final steps before the Empyrean, the Pilgrim needs to show a deeper understanding of the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love – which then brings him closer to the Divine Light in the Highest Heaven. And then … Continue reading →

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The Constellations

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Richard Emerson

In the 8th Sphere of Paradiso, Dante suddenly arrives in the Constellation of his Birth, the Gemini. From there we can look back all the way down to Earth, and on the seven spheres that Beatrice has helped “put beneath … Continue reading →

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The Contemplatives

Posted on May 31, 2021 by Richard Emerson

In the opening of the Sphere of the Mystics, the Pilgrim is once again focusing exclusively on theology and the beauty of the divine mystery: “By now I had my eyes fixed once again upon my lady’s face, and with … Continue reading →

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The Sphere of Mars

Posted on May 30, 2021 by ancientworld

Reading Song 17 again – the “heart” of Paradiso, it’s striking how this goes to the very deep of Dante as a person, with his lineage, but also his fate, and the purpose and framing of writing the Divine Comedy. … Continue reading →

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Paradiso, Song 11

Posted on May 25, 2021 by ancientworld

This tercet is one of the most breath-taking in Song 11 of Paradiso, describing the Angelical forces of Love and Wisdom – represented symbolically as Princes, for the Franciscan and Dominican Orders of the time. “One of the two shone … Continue reading →

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