John S. Ott
Spring 2003
UNST 245G

In Cantos 19-33, Dante continues his ascent through the upper terraces, which are home to the avaricious (tied face down to the ground), the gluttonous (emaciated from hunger and thirst), and the lustful (purified in flames).  At the top of the climb Virgil concludes his role as Dante's guide (Canto 27) with the words "I crown and mitre you over yourself," and Dante, now with Virgil following behind him, enters the Terrestrial Paradise.   Wandering with Virgil and Statius in tow, he comes upon several joyful scenes--a woman gathering flowers and singing by the river, a procession of worthy men and women--before he is finally approached by Beatrice, the object of his deepest love and affection.  She chastises him for his sins and demands his confession; on giving it, the woman he earlier encountered immerses him in Lethe, the River of Forgetfulness.  Purified once more (remember the purification scene in Canto 1 when Dante receives the pilgrim's palm?) he continues on, encountering the Tree of Knowledge and witnessing an allegorical scene of an eagle, dragon, whore, and giant, all intended as representations of the inflictions upon the Church (the chariot).  Having observed these scenes, Beatrice then prepares Dante for his ascent to the Celestial Paradise.

Questions

(1) Examine closely the farewell scene between Dante and Virgil in Canto 27.  What do you think Virgil means when he states to Dante "I crown and mitre you over yourself"?

(2) What are Dante's attitudes towards the proper relationship of Church and State and their rulers?

(3) Does he favor faith and spiritual experience over reason as a means of knowing God?  How are they combined?  What quality(-ies) does Virgil embody for Dante the poet?