Walking With Dante5 Nov 2023

The First Angels Descend From Heaven: PURGATORIO, Canto VIII, Lines 19 - 45

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Still standing on the cusp of the valley of the negligent rulers, not yet among them, Dante witnesses two angels descend from heaven, the first we've seen come from the blessed realms. (The first angel of PURGATORIO is apparently a boatman between a spot in Italy and Mount Purgatory.)

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, for an exploration of this curious passage about angels--as guardians, yes; but also as performers in a bit of nightly street theater.

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

[01:21] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto VIII, lines 19 - 45. If you'd like to read along or continue the discussion with me, please go to my website: markscarbrough.com.

[03:38] The first of seven direct addresses to the reader in PURGATORIO.

[07:26] A courteous (or noble) army: a key interpretive crux for Canto VIII.

[09:10] Two angels from above, reminiscent of the Cherubim put on guard at the Garden of Eden after the expulsion of Adam and Eve.

[13:28] Green angels and liturgical colors.

[16:47] The irony of sight in the face of angelic brightness.

[19:27] A reference to Mary that plays into the meaning of Canto VIII.

[21:16] Freezing in Purgatory.

[24:06] Deflating the drama in this passage.

[26:35] Rereading PURGATORIO, Canto VIII, lines 19 - 45.

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