Beatrice And The Griffin: PURGATORIO, Canto XXXI, Lines 112 - 126

Dante has now crossed Lethe and is ready to face Beatrice head on. She has moved to get ready for this eye-to-eye conversation. She's positioned nearer the griffin, a complicated symbol that may have more than one interpretation.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore both Beatrice (particularly her emerald eyes) and this dual-natured beast that seems to become more difficult to interpret with its every move in the poem.

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Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:19] My English translation of PURGATORIO, Canto XXXI, Lines 112 - 126. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, please find the entry for this episode on my website, markscarbrough.com.

[02:44] Beatrice has moved . . . but where?

[05:09] With her emerald eyes, Beatrice and Dante finally escape the Francesca episode.

[09:15] Dante is the Orpheus who can look into the eyes of his Eurydice.

[10:49] Here are at least two additional interpretations for the griffin.

[13:58] Beatrice's eyes are the methodology of revelation (and mystery).

[16:41] The passage drops the first hint about Jesus' transfiguration.

[18:50] Reflection is transfiguring, as in the craft of poetry.

[19:34] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXXI, lines 112 - 126.