Classics and the Western Canon discussion

Ciardi:

DANTE TURNS from Beatrice and beholds a vision of GOD AS A NON-DIMENSIONAL POINT OF LIGHT ringed by NINE GLOWING SPHERES representing the ANGEL HIERARCHY. Dante is puzzled because the vision seems to reverse the order of the Universe, the highest rank of the angels being at the center and represented by the smallest sphere. Beatrice explains the mystery to Dante’s satisfaction, if not to the reader’s, and goes on to catalogue the ORDERS OF THE ANGELS.

Reynolds/Sayers:

The Point of Light: The light of God and of the angelic rings which circle it are first seen by Dante reflected in the eyes of Beatrice, just as, in the Pageant of the Church in the Garden of Eden (Purg. xxxi) he saw “mirrored in their range” the double nature of the Incarnate Love, “now in the one, now in the other guise”, that is, now as wholly divine, now as wholly human. He could not then see the two as one; now, in a prelude to the Beatific Vision, he beholds the immateriality and indivisible unity of God. The allegorical relationship of Beatrice to the Trinity had been intuitively apprehended by Dante as long ago as the time of the Vita Nuova, when he wrote… “this Lady was accompanied to the end by the number nine, that men might clearly perceive her to be a nine, that is, a miracle, whose only root is the Holy Trinity”. Now, reflecting the supreme unity of the Trinity, her eyes image the theological demonstrations of the Church concerning the unity of God.

Sanctus:

http://www.worldofdante.org/pop_up_qu...

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



Salvador Dali: Paradiso Canto 28. “St. Peter and Dante.”

(Like this one.)

Visit link to see thumbnail:

http://www.ivodavidfineart.com/Divine...

Ivo David: Paradiso Canto XXVIII. "The Angel Hierarchy." 1975.

(Larger image:) http://www.worldofdante.org/media/ima...



Sandro Botticelli: Paradiso Canto XXVIII.1. “Ninth Sphere (Crystalline Heaven, Primum Mobile): Dante Sees God as a Point of Intense Light, Circled by Angelic Choirs; Beatrice Explains the Influence and Hierarchical Structure of this Sphere.” c.1480 - c.1495. Drawing.

(With their shields, some of these angels almost look like victorious warriors.)

(Clearer image:) http://www.worldofdante.org/media/ima...



John Flaxman: Paradiso Canto XXVIII.16. “Dante Sees a Piercing Point of Light.” 1793. Engraving.

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



Gustave Doré: Paradiso Canto XXVIII.49. “The Sparkling Circles of the Heavenly Host.” c.1868. Engraving.

(Another source associates this one with Canto 12.)

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



Giovanni di Paolo: Paradiso Canto XXVIII.16. “Dante Sees a Brilliant Point of Light – The Primum Mobile.” c.1450. Manuscript illumination. Yates Thompson 36. British Library.

This artist rather brilliantly captured an idea.

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



Giovanni di Paolo: Paradiso Canto XXVIII.127. “The Orders of Angels.” c.1450. Manuscript illumination. Yates Thompson 36. British Library.

Lily wrote: (With their shields, some of these angels almost look like victorious warriors.)

They were. Think Paradise Lost. The archangel Michael is especially associated with combat in the Bible, both testaments.

Laurele wrote: "Lily wrote: (With their shields, some of these angels almost look like victorious warriors.)

They were. Think Paradise Lost. The archangel Michael is especially associated with combat in the Bibl..."

These were also the ages of the Crusades?

http://www.blakearchive.org/blake/ima...




William Blake: Paradiso Canto XXVIII. "The Vision of the Deity from Whom Proceed the Nine Spheres." c. 1824-27.