Purgatory, Episode 11

When we reach the Fourth Terrace the night is coming closer, and Virgil is giving an explanation to the Pilgrim about Love as the motive force for also the Vices, in the three versions of misdirected Love, too little Love, and excessive Love. This three-fold explanation also gives the structure of the Seven Levels of the Mountain, and the theme of Love (with the Natural and Rational Love) then becomes the central theme at the Heart of Purgatory (in Chapter 17), and also for the whole Divine Comedy as a literary work. Love is that which moves the Sun and the Other Stars – and Dante connects our Free Will with the opportunity to choose the Good Love as the guiding Light in our lives.

Enjoy!

Recommended version for joining this series is Mark Musa’s Penguin Classics Edition here: https://amzn.com/0140444424