Purgatorio, Canto 8


VIDEO VERSION

AUDIO VERSION



OVERVIEW

Buddy Storm is an Associate Professor of English in the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University. He teaches courses on Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Milton and studies Medieval poetry.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does Dante imagine the power and the efficacy of prayer in this canto?
  • What is Dante’s response to the prayer Te lucis antes (8.13-15)? How does this recall his earlier meeting with Casella (2.115-118) ? How has Dante matured since canto 2?
  • Why do you think Dante can see the four stars of the cardinal virtues in canto 1.23-24 and yet only now sees the three stars of the theological virtues (88-93)?
  • How can there be a serpent in purgatory? What is Dante doing by including this scene?

DETAILS

  • Dr. Buddy Storm
  • Templeton Honors College
  • Run Time 10:30