The Place Beyond Accidental Change: PURGATORIO, Canto XXI, Lines 40 - 57

Walking With Dante

Virgil has asked two questions: Why'd the mountain shake and why'd the shades all cry out with one voice?

The unknown shade on the fifth terrace of Mount Purgatory begins his answer by referring to Aristotle's notions of change . . . and offers the surprising conclusion that some change is impossible about the three steps to the gate of Purgatory proper.

And then he does something wilder: He begins to wrap the poetic imagery of Cantos XX and XXI back onto itself.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore this difficult passage, the first part of the unknown shade's answer.

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

[02:20] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXI, lines 40 - 57. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me via a comment, please find the entry for this episode on my website, markscarbrough.com.

[04:08] The mountain's meteorology and Aristotelian accidental change.

[09:09] Two translation issues early in the passage.

[12:45] Classical learning: Thaumus's daughter, Iris.

[15:41] Stable feet v. wet feet . . . and the search for a contemplative space.

[19:28] The refusal to answer "why?"

[21:16] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXI, lines 40 - 57.