Incarnated in the Moon: PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 19 - 45

After Dante's warning to his readers (or perhaps some of his readers), we return to the plot, ascending through the heavens to arrive at the moon . . . or really, in the moon.Dante and Beatrice find themselves inside this translucent pearl in the heavens.And in so doing, Dante proves the incarnation really happened . . . at least, if you accept that his journey really happened.Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore the first of several complex passages in the second canto of PARADISO.If you'd like to support this work, please consider a one-time donation or a small monthly stipend using this PayPal link right here.Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:[01:11] My English translation of PARADISO, Canto I, lines 19 - 45. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, find the entry for this episode on my website, markscarbrough.com.[03:12] Backgrounds: A brief history of "natural philosophy" in Dante's day.[07:29] Backgrounds: The incarnation, of the prime methods of redemption for Dante.[10:10] A thought experiment: the universe as a diaphanous, aesthetic object.[12:20] The journey into the universe . . . or mystery (without spoilers).[14:16] Hysteron proteron: the rhetorical flourish of PARADISO and the ultimate structure of COMEDY.[17:16] Lots of joinings here and in Canto I, all anticipating the incarnation.[18:37] The complex symbolism of the moon as a pearl.[21:27] The incarnation in the foreground of the narrative.[24:17] Dante's journey as proof of the incarnation.[26:37] Rereading the passage: PARADISO, Canto II, lines 19 - 45.