The Diversity of Being in a Universe of Light: PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 106 - 126
Beatrice now launches into the true explanation for moon spots, found not in folklore, not in natural philosophy, but in metaphysics.Her explanation pushes her to disclose the parts of the universe we...
2 Sep 28min
Testing Theology With Optics: PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 85 - 105
Beatrice continues in her scientific and Scholastic explanation for moon spots by taking apart a secondary argument . . . and proposing an optical experiment.She voices an objection Dante might have: ...
30 Aug 26min
Mixed Metaphors and the Limits of Human Senses: PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 64 - 84
Beatrice begins her destruction of Dante's explanation for moon spots by taking apart his notion of dense and rare spots on the lunar surface . . . with a dizzying display of mixed metaphors.Her argum...
26 Aug 20min
Of Moon Spots and Virgil: PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 46 - 63
Now that our pilgrim Dante is standing in the moon, he has a fundamental question: Why are there spots on the moon?And he thinks he knows the answer, right out of natural philosophy. They're caused by...
23 Aug 21min
Incarnated in the Moon: PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 19 - 45
After Dante's warning to his readers (or perhaps some of his readers), we return to the plot, ascending through the heavens to arrive at the moon . . . or really, in the moon.Dante and Beatrice find t...
19 Aug 28min
Go Home: PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 1 - 18
Our poet steps out of the shadows with an important message: "Go home."Because PARADISO is hard. Because we might get lost. Because we're not prepared.The stark address to all readers--or perhaps to a...
16 Aug 25min
Of Natural Instincts and Their Natural Ends: PARADISO, Canto I, Lines 115 - 142
Beatrice continues in her discourse about our natural instincts, making the bold claim that they can lead us to our natural ends . . . which are the good, not the catastrophic bad.Her Scholastic theol...
12 Aug 23min
Sailing Across the Great Sea of "To Be": PARADISO, Canto I, Lines 94 - 114
Beatrice has answered Dante's first doubt, but he has another. He can't quite understand how he, maybe in his body, can make his way across the universe.She doesn't have a quick answer. Instead, she h...
9 Aug 25min
