The Paradiso (#1)

Cantos: (the whole book, but this week): XV-XXXIII

So, Divine Comedy: Finished. Whoohoo! It feels satisfying, I admit. But...I also have to say The Paradiso is just really boring. There's no other way to say it. I'm glad that the Cantos are pretty short, but maybe not even short enough! In The Inferno, there was a lot of Christian morality and ideology being imposed on the reader, but it was actually interesting. The divine retribution made you stop and think and say "Oh! I get it! You're pretty clever, aren't you Dante?" In The Purgatorio, it seemed like there was more Christian ideals being impressed on the reader, but the plot wasn't as enjoyable. Everyone knew that they were going to go to Heaven eventually. But, it's still a pretty good read. However, then next up in the Divine Comedy is The Paradiso. Here, we're hit with full on Christian preaching. I'm Christian myself, but even I admit that this is a bit much...especially since I don't agree with everything that Dante believes in. Every Canto pretty much contains descriptions of the next circle, how wonderful it is, and someone who speaks to Dante about morals. Yeah, Bo-Ring. There's just something about evil and darker topics that makes them just so much more riveting. It's a little strange actually, but that's just how it is, and why The Paradiso really wasn't the greatest book choice. I'm ready to move onto something more exciting.

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.