Classics and the Western Canon discussion

Reynolds/Sayers:

Beatrice, on Dante’s behalf, questions the souls concerning the degree of radiance which will envelop them after the Last Judgement. In reply, Solomon explains the relationship between grace, vision, love and radiance. A third circle of light appears, but, before Dante can do more than glimpse it, he finds he has been raised to the Heaven of Mars. Here, two white bands of light, pricked out with ruby splendours, form themselves into the pattern of a cross, and Dante beholds a vision of Christ. The souls sing a hymn of praise, the beauty of which surpasses all that Dante has experienced in the preceding spheres.

Hollander:


THE SUN; MARS

1-9 the canto begins with an "implicit simile": water in a bowl that moves in waves from outer rim to center
(or the obverse) and Thomas's voice at "perimeter" (and Beatrice's at "center") of the circle made by theologians
10-18 Beatrice intuits Dante's two questions: (1) Will the bodies of the saints shine eternally? (2) If so,
how will onlookers' eyes endure so brilliant a light?
19-24 simile (2): as dancers in a circle become more excited in their singing and gestures as the dance continues,
so did the holy circle react to Dante's question
25-27 and no one witnessing this could lament its price, death
28-33 this trinitarian sphere (of the Sun -- see Par. X.1f.) is thrice marked again by the souls' trinitarian song.
34-36 The voice of the most divine member of the inner circle [Solomon] is compared to the voice of [Gabriel] to Mary:
37-42 [Solomon]: "our brightness corresponds to our ardor, our ardor to our power of sight, and that power to our grace
43-45 "once we are in flesh again, we will be more acceptable to God for being more complete
46-51 "when this is true, God's gift of grace will be increased as must our vision of Him, as must the ardor of our love,
as must the brightness of our light
52-57 [simile (3)] "a glowing coal seen within the flame that it produces resembles the glowing body that will be added
to the shining presences of these souls
58-60 "our bodily organs will be strong enough to sustain the sight of the glorified body."
61-66 The two circles of saints make Solomon's prayer theirs
67-69 simile (4): the main "event," the third circle of lights
70-75 simile (5): evening stars compared to newly visible souls
76-78 the poet's apostrophe: true sparkling of the Holy Spirit!
79-81 Beatrice's smiling beauty too affecting to be remembered
82-87 the ascent to Mars, the smiling, reddening star
88-96 Dante's prayer of thanksgiving to God; the star's warm reaction; Dante's mixed-language response
97-102 simile (6): Milky Way seen as cross of crusading saints
103-108 the poet remembers the moment but cannot express it
109-117 simile (7): souls moving along the limbs of the cross and motes in rays of sunlight passing through slats of shades
118-123 simile (8): harmonies (not melody) of bowed instruments and harps compared to melody sung from cross (not words)
124-129 Dante heard "Risurgi" and "Vinci" but not the rest and is moved to love more than he has ever been before
130-132 perhaps that goes too far for seeming to slight Beatrice
133-139 the poet's complicated self-exculpation.

Reynolds/Sayers:

THE IMAGES:

Solomon: In the previous canto, St Thomas made clear to Dante that Solomon did not ask God for speculative but for kingly wisdom; yet in Heaven Solomon so partakes of the wisdom of all the blessed that he is able to solve Dante’s doubt as to the splendour of the body after the resurrection. In the story, it is a master-touch that Dante should receive from such a source so precious a pearl of wisdom. In the allegory, it is as the supposed author of the Song of Songs that Solomon is chosen to pronounce upon the ultimate bliss of union between the body and the soul.

The third circle of lights: There has been much speculation as to what Dante intended to signify by the third circle of radiance, which rises into view like light on the horizon before dawn. Within its lustre he begins to pick out new lights, like stars at twilight. Though he does not stay long enough to accustom himself to their brilliance, he recognizes them as emanations from the Holy Spirit. It would seem, therefore, that they represent some further extension into the infinity of God’s truth which ever and infinitely exceeds man’s knowledge and understanding of it.

The Heaven of Mars: In the story, Mars, the fifth planet in order from the earth, is the next stage in Dante’s ascent towards the Empyrean, or abode of God. Traditionally the symbol of war, Mars is the scene of Dante’s encounter with the souls of those who have died for the faith. In the allegory, the fortitude of the warrior saints and martyrs is shown as issuing in “loftier bliss” than all the knowledge of the wise. Dante’s utter surrender of himself in a prayer of gratitude and devotion represents the Christian’s sense of indebtedness to the soldiers and martyrs of the Cross.

The Cross of Souls: Two bands of light, white against the redness of Mars and pricked out with glowing rubies, form a Cross, pulsating with the sacrificial love of the Crusader knights and martyrs of the Faith. In the allegory, the Cross is the symbol of Christ Himself, and it is in His soldiers and martyrs that He shines forth upon Dante in a momentary and incommunicable vision. A hymn of praise, gathering through the Cross, holds Dante so rapt with its melody that till this moment nothing in Paradise has so sweetly enthralled him. This vision of glory represents Dante’s faith in the ultimate victory of the Cross.

http://www.lockportstreetgallery.com/...



Salvador Dali: Paradiso Canto 14. “The Cross of Mars.”

Apparently no Nattini or Yates for this Canto, but Doré is back.

http://www.worldofdante.org/media/ima...



Gustave Doré: Paradiso Canto XIV.10. “Rings of Glowing Souls.” c.1868. Engraving.

(I have also seen this illustration associated with Canto XII.19.)

http://www.worldofdante.org/media/ima...



Gustave Doré: Paradiso Canto XIV.82. “Dante and Beatrice Ascend to the Sphere of Mars.” c.1868. Engraving.

http://www.worldofdante.org/media/ima...



Gustave Doré: Paradiso Canto XIV.100. “Souls of Warriors of the Faith Form a Cross.” c.1868. Engraving.

I have a sense of a scene from a dream with this image.

(Somewhat clearer:) http://www.worldofdante.org/media/ima...



Sandro Botticelli: Paradiso Canto XIV.1. “Fourth Planetary Sphere (Heaven of the Sun); Solomon Tells Dante of the Transfiguration of the Body after the Resurrection; Ascent to the Sphere of Mars; Vision of Christ.” c.1480 - c.1495. Drawing.

http://www.worldofdante.org/media/ima...



John Flaxman: Paradiso Canto XIV.103. “Christ Flaming Forth from the Cross.” 1793. Engraving.

http://www.ivodavidfineart.com/images...



Ivo David: Paradiso Canto XIV.48-87. “Spiriti Sapienti.” 1972.

Dante. Paradiso Canto XIV.48-87. Hollander Translation.
(view spoiler)[

the light that makes us fit to see Him.

From that light, vision must increase,
and love increase what vision kindles,
and radiance increase, which comes from love.

But like a coal that shoots out flame
and in its glowing center still outshines
so that it does not lose its own appearance,

just so this splendor that enfolds us now
will be surpassed in brightness by the flesh
that earth as yet still covers.

‘Nor will such shining have the power to harm us,
for our body’s organs shall be strengthened
to deal with all that can delight us.’

So quick and eager seemed to me both choirs
to say their Amen that they clearly showed
their desire for their dead bodies,

not perhaps for themselves alone, but for their mothers,
for their fathers, and for others whom they loved
before they all became eternal flames.

And lo, all around and all of equal brightness,
rose a splendor, surpassing what had been,
as the horizon, at the rising sun, grows brighter.

And just as, at the approach of evening,
new lights begin to show throughout the sky,
so faint they seem both real and yet unreal,

it seemed to me that I began to see
new subsistences there that formed a ring
beyond the other two circumferences.

Ah, true incandescence of the Holy Breath!
How suddenly its glowing shone before me,
so bright my eyes could not endure it!

But Beatrice showed herself to me so fair
and smiling, this vision of her must remain
among those sights that have escaped my memory.

At this my eyes regained their sight and, raising them,
I saw myself translated, alone now with my lady,
to a more exalted state of bliss.

I was assured that I had risen higher
by the planet’s fiery smile. It seemed to me
to glow more red than usual.
(hide spoiler)]

http://www.ivodavidfineart.com/images...



Ivo David: Paradiso Canto XIV. “The Souls of the Great Cross.” 1970

http://www.ivodavidfineart.com/images...



Ivo David: Paradiso Canto XIV. “Ottavio Cielo, The Fixed Stars.” 1975.

Lily wrote: "Apparently no Nattini or Yates for this Canto, but Doré is back.

http://www.worldofdante.org/media/ima...



Gustave Doré: Paradiso Canto XIV.10. “Rings of Glowi..."

Awesome!

Lily wrote: "http://www.worldofdante.org/media/ima...



Gustave Doré: Paradiso Canto XIV.82. “Dante and Beatrice Ascend to the Sphere of Mars.” c.1868. Engraving."

All those little wavy things--he's going into new realms.

Laurele wrote: "Lily wrote: "Apparently no Nattini or Yates for this Canto, but Doré is back.

http://www.worldofdante.org/media/ima... ..."

Also no Bodleian Library manuscript images for Canto 14.

Well, I was mistaken. There is a Nattini for Canto 14:

http://etcweb.princeton.edu/dante/pdp...



Amos Nattini: Paradiso Canto XIV. "Dal centro al cerchio, e si dal cerchio al centro, 1923

Lily wrote: "Well, I was mistaken. There is a Nattini for Canto 14:

http://etcweb.princeton.edu/dante/pdp...



Amos Nattini: Paradiso Canto XIV. "Dal centro al cerchio, e si dal cer..."

Spectacular.

"Whoever here on earth laments that we must die
to find our life above knows not the fresh relief
found there in these eternal showers." (27)

Dante (2012-07-18). Paradiso. (Kindle Locations 5786-5792). Random House, Inc.. Hollander Translation.

A rather lovely backhanded way of suggesting the possible delights of eternal bliss -- if one can believe.

"And I heard in the most resplendent light
of the lesser circle a modest voice,
such perhaps as the angel’s was to Mary" (36)

Dante. Paradiso. (Kindle Locations 5809-5816). Ibid.

Another comparison I founding touching and pretty.

"When we put on again our flesh,
glorified and holy, then our persons
will be more pleasing for being all complete,"(45)

"So quick and eager seemed to me both choirs
to say their Amen that they clearly showed
their desire for their dead bodies, (63)

not perhaps for themselves alone, but for their mothers,
for their fathers, and for others whom they loved
before they all became eternal flames." (66)

Dante. Paradiso. (Kindle Locations 5833-5838, 5875-5888.) Ibid..

This desire to resume the material form caught my ear. And not just for self.

"But like a coal that shoots out flame
and in its glowing center still outshines it
so that it does not lose its own appearance,"(54)

Dante. Paradiso. (Kindle Locations 5856-5859). Ibid.

I believe the image of the spark and the coal is used several times -- in different ways. I am reminded again that this was an age of light by sun, fire, candle, or oil lamp. (William Manchester's A World Lit Only by Fire and Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror have long been among the TBR books that I somehow never get read.)

"But Beatrice showed herself to me so fair
and smiling, this vision of her must remain
among those sights that have escaped my memory."

Dante. Paradiso. (Kindle Locations 5920-5925). Ibid.

I found myself asking if I could recall a sight so powerful, positive or negative, that I have largely blocked it from my memory...perhaps so.

"As the Milky Way, arrayed with greater and lesser lights,
glows white between the universal poles,
making even sages wonder how and why," (99)

Dante. Paradiso. (Kindle Locations 5965-5971). Ibid.

The "sages" continue to wonder and probe these seven centuries later.

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap071020.html

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080905.html

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/201...

"...lights
that scintillated as they met and passed. (111)

"Just so we see on earth, straight and slanting,
swift and slow, changing in appearance,
tiny motes of matter, long and short,(114)

"move through the beam of light that sometimes streaks
the shades that men devise for their protection both with cunning and with skill." (117)

Dante. Paradiso. (Kindle Locations 5998-6015). Ibid.

This reminded me of the illustration in a prayer book from childhood for the Lord's Prayer -- the sun shining through majestic clouds in rays reaching the earth -- "for thine is the glory...".

"And as viol and harp strung with many strings
in their harmony will sound sweet
even to one who fails to catch their tune,"(120)

Dante. Paradiso. (Kindle Locations 6017-6023). Ibid..

Our noontime Wednesday Lenten service this week will feature a harp and violin. My untrained musical ear will savor their sweet sound.

Somehow, this canto seemed full of images that spoke to beauty for me, perhaps because I have been so immersed in the images for Paradiso.

Lily wrote: ""And as viol and harp strung with many strings
in their harmony will sound sweet
even to one who fails to catch their tune,"(120)

Dante. Paradiso. (Kindle Locations 6017-6023). Ibid..

Our noonti..."

Wonderful selections, Lily!

Laurele wrote: "Wonderful selections,...."

Thank you, Laurel. (I pulled into our thread one of the Milky Way images.)

Can you imagine what the poetry of Dante might have done with images such as these:

Antares and Rho Ophiuchi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/igorfp/3...

Wonderful, obscure names, too. Anyone know who are the poets playing with these today?

Clicking on the bright spots and then using "newer/older" at the top of the screen will take one on a galactic tour.

"I was assured that I had risen higher
by the planet’s fiery smile. It seemed to me
to glow more red than usual." (87)

Dante. Paradiso (Kindle Locations 5935-5940). Ibid.

Okay, my five-year-old's question: Why is Mars red?

Here is one response: http://chemistry.about.com/od/astroch...

"The short answer...is because the Martian surface contains a large amount of rust or iron oxide. The iron oxide forms a rust dust that floats in the atmosphere...".