Caught Between Two Poets: PURGATORIO, Canto XXI, Lines 103 - 136

Walking With Dante

Statius has sung his (first!) hymn of praise to Virgil without knowing that the old poet is right in front of him. Dante the pilgrim is caught between them in this most human episode with his master, Virgil, demanding silence and his new friend, Statius, wanting to know why the pilgrim is smiling.

Which means Dante is also caught on his emotions which seem to be overriding his will . . . in a canto about the will's primacy.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, for the very human ending to his surprising and comedic canto in PURGATORIO.

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

[02:25] My English translation of the passage. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation, please find the entry for this episode on my website, markscarbrough.com.

[05:33] The curious inelegance of the poetry in this passage.

[08:31] The welling up of emotions into the eyes.

[11:50] Virgil's curious reticence.

[13:21] The will v. the emotions--ever the human dilemma.

[17:43] The dramatization of the anxiety of influence--and of the divided will.

[19:56] The revelation of Virgil on this road to Emmaus.

[22:46] Polytheism in this monotheistic poem?

[24:10] Statius' error and apology.

[29:12] The imperfections of the perfected.

[31:03] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXI, lines 103 - 136.