The Purgatorio (#1)

Cantos: I-XIV

I'm actually enjoying this quite a bit. But, I like The Inferno a bit more because The Purgatorio just seems to take longer to get to the point. Also, the various ordeals of the sinners striving to reach Paradise are quite creative, but there was just something about the punishments in The Inferno that made it more interesting. I think it's because The Inferno was more extreme, and it was more interesting because we like to read about things that are more brutal, delving into the darker side of things. The Purgatorio is kind of like a normality. The people in Purgatory have to go through ordeals too, but they're eventually going to get to Heaven. They aren't really being punished, but, rather, taught. The prideful must carry heavy stones pressing them down and look at carvings on the floor as they walk to learn how pride is a burden on their souls. It's like divine retribution, but softer. Ehh, I think I like The Inferno better.

I'm also reading a different translation of the work. I borrowed it form the school library, and it is ANCIENT. Well, 40 years old, but the translation is by Henry F. Cary. I think I like the Ciardi translation more. This one doesn't really rhyme and sometimes, the attempt to keep with iambic pentameter seems forced. His word choice isn't quite as striking as Ciardi's. Additionally, the book is set up so that the lines are not broken up into groups of three. I think this is both good and bad. It is good in that the Cantos seem to possess more continuity and don't feel too broken up. However, with all of the line stuck together, I think that it's just a lot for the eye to look through. It's just a block of lines in the middle of the page, and it's a little harder to read.

Overall, though, I'm enjoying The Purgatorio somewhat.

The Purgatorio by Dante Alighieri (Begin!)

The Purgatorio
by Dante Alighieri

First Thoughts: I thought that The Inferno was rather interesting, so I decided that reading the rest of the Diving Comedy would be nice. Well, at least maybe The Purgatorio might be interesting at least. Let's see how it goes!

The Inferno (#1)

Cantos: VI, X, XI, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXV

Wow. Some of these Cantos were actually really interesting. Although some of the ones in the Bolgias are quite creative, like the divine retribution of the fortune tellers, I really thought that the punishments for the Violent against God, Nature, and Art were the most painful sounding. Raining fire and burning sands? That's some really strong violence. They literally feel the burn for their crimes.

However, I don't necessarily agree that some groups should be punished. Usurers and moneylenders don't seem to me like a group that deserves their punishment, but Dante's principles are slightly different from our own, so it's understandable.

The Inferno by Dante Alighieri (Begin!--well, kind of)

The Inferno
by Dante Alighieri

First-ish Thoughts: We've read bits and pieces of The Inferno in class, and I thought it was pretty interesting. Dante's logic is quite intriguing, and I thought I'd go back and read the Cantos we skipped. Let's see how it goes! :)