Sapía, Part Three—Rhetorical Games Reveal Both The Penitent And The Pilgrim: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, Lines 133 - 154

In the concluding moments of Sapía's speech, we find her in dialogue with Dante the pilgrim . . . who is both forthcoming in his confessional stance and also cagey with his hiding his guide, Virgil.She, too, is caught in her own rhetoric: getting what she wants but ultimately revealing herself as a soul who still has a lot more purgation ahead.Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore the final words of one of the most intriguing characters in PURGATORIO, if not in all of COMEDY.Please consider donating to support this podcast and cover its hosting, editing, licensing, streaming, domain, and royalty fees. You can do so at this PayPal link right here.Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:[00:58] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, lines 133 - 154. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation, please find the comment section for this episode on my website, markscarbrough.com.[03:18] Dante's reply to Sapía is both cagey and confessional. Did she manipulate him into this ambiguous spot?[09:27] Does Sapía misunderstand his place in the afterlife? But how can she, since she's already figured out that he's breathing?[13:03] She turns his confession of pride into . . . comedy or flattery?[14:12] Her changing notions of prayer exemplify the theological problems of prayer as a Christian act. Meanwhile, she lets the pilgrim know that she's figured him out even more.[19:36] Sapía is going to spend a lot more time on the terrace of the envious, given her joy over Siena's misfortunes.[24:59] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, lines 133 - 154.