Dante's Divine Comedy: Purgatory Cantos XXX, XXXI, XXXIII - Earthly Paradise and Beatrice's Arrival

Explore Dante's representation of the Earthly Paradise in this lecture from Yale University's "Dante in Translation" course. Delve into the quest for freedom that culminates at Eden's threshold, where Virgil declares the pilgrim's free will. Examine the pilgrim's encounter with Matelda and Beatrice's arrival, which highlights his lingering attachment to earthly pleasures. Analyze Dante's portrayal of conversion as an ongoing process rather than a singular event. The lecture covers Virgil's final words, the pastoral oasis segment, Beatrice's arrival, the confession, and the conclusion of "Purgatory," followed by a Q&A session. Access complete course materials on the Open Yale Courses website for this Fall 2008 recording.