Author Archives: Kelly Cabeza

The Vice of Pride

Vices are the main focus of purgatory rather than sin. Pride specifically is the first vice theme in purgatory. Nature is also a common theme that we see throughout the comedy. We see that nature plays a major role in purgatory since nature can be described as a reflection of God and His beauty. Thus, purgatory includes imagery of Mary, skies, stars and other majestic scenery/symbolism. This relates to pride as well because in purgatory, one must cleanse themselves of this vice by showing humility and meekness, the antonym of vice.

Compared to the Inferno, where pride also known as ego, is what caused Lucifer, one of the most high angels to fall to the lowest position, is significant. In purgatory however, the greater the pride in life the greater the weight of stone to be carried. This is a burden that is caused from their own vice to be lifted when the opposite occurs. When one thinks less of themselves than more which is an interesting contrast.

1st Reflection post

Looking back on my previous posts, I see that I tend to focus on one recurring motif in the cantos assigned or in one specific canto. I may point out a few specific scenes in the reading and build off the idea from that. Through the analysis, I see that I may recap the events in the canto(s) to support my point. However, I see that I struggle with that to be the main bulk of my post. In one canto, I used tone that discovered Dante used to set the scene. I like this idea and would continue to describe in more in future posts. Perhaps thought, I can also try to incorporate a picture in future posts. I see that I work well with focusing on one point that stuck out to me in the cantos. However, I can explain my points better by citing evidence such as parts of texts and quotes from the reading as support. I can clarify my writing more to have my ideas come across better. I would like to extend on some ideas made from another student as I believe that would also help me express what I found in the reading as I tend not to know where to start in a discussion. I noticed that I use Barolini’s commentary and other resources to complement my thoughts and I see that works well so I would continue to use that tool in writing my posts.

Overall, my posts describe certain parts of cantos and may focus on an emotion or tone that Dante uses. I can incorporate more supporting pieces in terms of quotes and pictures. I can also comment on another’s post to add on to the discussion to recall what’s important and opine on the matter.

Uneasiness and Apprehension Tone

‍The devils are going after the travelers in the beginning of canto 23. There is a tone of uneasiness and fear. The Melabranche seems to be chasing after the travelers however, Dante cannot be hurt as mentioned previously in other cantos as his journey was foredained by God. However, the precariousness of the ending was conveyed to us for instance when the travelers anticipated the coming of the messenger so Dis could open. Virgil foolishly leads them to danger which inevitability instills fear in Dante as we see from his thoughts. It is also the uncertainty one gets from Aesop’s fable that contributes to the uneasiness of the canto. This is purely a poetic choice by Dante. As Barolini states in his commentary, the term “Gia”, which means already or hardly, was used multiple times in this canto and previous cantos such as 8 as a technique for emphasis. It helped build the apprehension that was developed throughout and especially at the beginning of this canto. It conveyed the picture that everything was happening at once for instance when the Melabranche was gaining on the travelers as Dante was thinking. We see however that this fear is unreasonable as we are reminded that the devils cannot leave their Bolgia. Dante though incites this fear to all in order to prove and depict the opposite, that hell has no control over the rest.