Sapía, Part Two—Blasphemy Among The Penitents Of Envy: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, Lines 112 - 132
Listen now
Description
Sapía now tells her story to Dante the pilgrim . . . and it includes one of the most blasphemous lines in all of COMEDY. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we look closely at one of the most honest and blasphemous monologues in the poem . . . and as we grapple with Sapía's incredible skills in rhetoric. If you'd like to make a contribution to support this podcast and help me cover its many fees, you can do so at this PayPal link right here. Here are the segments of this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE: [01:39] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, lines 112 - 132. If you'd like to read along, print it off, or continue the conversation with me, please go to my website: markscarbrough.com. [03:56] Indicators of Sapía's interiority. [07:48] Her reaction to the Sienese battle of 17 June 1269. [10:40] Sapía's right attitude toward God's will. [12:41] One of the most blasphemous lines in all of COMEDY. [14:54] Lighthearted folkloric storytelling amid her shocking honesty. [18:48] The holy man who saves her: Peter Comb-Seller (or "Pettinaio"). [22:09] Honesty or manipulation? [23:22] The logic of her monologue. [25:13] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, lines 112 - 132.
More Episodes
We've come to the middle of PURGATORIO . . . and indeed the middle of COMEDY as a whole. Let's take a breather and review where we've been in Purgatory since our very slow approach sometimes (or often?) causes us to privilege the trees over the forest. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as I walk you...
Published 11/20/24
Published 11/20/24
We come to the end of Virgil's (first) discourse on love, as well as the end of the central canto of PURGATORIO. But it's a strange end since Virgil admits to what he doesn't know. Having been so certain about how human behavior operates, he concludes by telling Dante the pilgrim he's on his own...
Published 11/17/24