Mixed Metaphors and the Limits of Human Senses: PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 64 - 84

Beatrice begins her destruction of Dante's explanation for moon spots by taking apart his notion of dense and rare spots on the lunar surface . . . with a dizzying display of mixed metaphors. Her argument lofts to the highest visible heaven, the eighth sphere; then falls back into scholastic reasoning; and offering both experimental and poetic rationales for why he's wrong. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore the first part of Beatrice's explanation for moon spots, predicated on the bass line of the incarnation. Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE: [01:20] My English translation of PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 64 - 84. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation about this passage, find its entry at my website, markscarbrough.com. [03:27] Paraphrasing this difficult passage in Beatrice's argument about moon spots. [04:46] Lofting the argument to the eighth heaven, the highest part of visible creation (from Dante's perspective). [08:15] Offering diversity as complexity beyond a simple continuum for an answer. [12:31] Moving into experimental (or experiential) proofs for her argument (and implicitly for an understanding of the incarnation of Jesus). [15:13] Inspiring a dizzying vertigo through mixed metaphors to state the negative of her argument. [18:41] Rereading the passage: PARADISO, Canto II, lines 64 - 84.