Tag Archives: Dante’s Paradise

Chapter 23: Gemini — Christ, Mary, and the Saints A mother bird will eagerly await dawn so that she can go forth and find food for her nestlings — this is a task that she joyfully performs. Much like that, … Continue reading →

Chapter 22: Saturn — Saint Benedict Shocked by the cry of the souls, Dante turned toward Beatrice the way a little boy runs to his mother when he is startled. Beatrice calmed Dante just like a mother would calm a … Continue reading →

Chapter 21: Saturn — Symbolic Ladder; Saint Peter Damian Dante looked at Beatrice. Beatrice did not smile. She explained, “Were I to smile in this new Sphere — Saturn — you would be incinerated because you are not yet able … Continue reading →

Chapter 20: Jupiter — Two Pagans in Paradise (Ripheus and Trajan) When the Sun sets, the stars become visible. When the Eagle had been speaking, it had spoken as one. Now, it fell silent, and Dante became aware again of … Continue reading →

Chapter 19: Jupiter — Symbolic Eagle Before Dante’s eyes was the figure of the Eagle, a figure that was formed by the joyful souls of the just. Each soul of the just was like a ruby through which a ray … Continue reading →

Chapter 18: Jupiter — Lovers of Justice Cacciaguida was happy because he knew that Dante would eventually write The Divine Comedy. Dante was silent for a while as he thought about the exile awaited him. Beatrice said to Dante, “Think … Continue reading →

Chapter 17: Mars — Cacciaguida’s Prophecy Phaëthon had heard rumors that he was the son of Apollo, and he went to Apollo to see if the rumors were true. Apollo assured him that the rumors were true, but Phaëthon demanded … Continue reading →

Chapter 16: Mars — Cacciaguida’s Florence Dante the Poet thought, Having pride in the noble blood of ancestors is trivial, but I will no longer be amazed that men on Earth take pride in the noble blood of ancestors. After … Continue reading →