The Diversity of Being in a Universe of Light: PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 106 - 126

Beatrice now launches into the true explanation for moon spots, found not in folklore, not in natural philosophy, but in metaphysics. Her explanation pushes her to disclose the parts of the universe we could never see, then lets her discuss diversity as a function of the light falling from the stars through the planets to us. A gorgeously poetic passage, it also raises many more questions than it answers . . . . questions that will trouble PARADISO for cantos to come. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we begin the discovery of Dante's ultimate explanation for moon spots. They're not physical. They're metaphysical. Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE: [01:45] My English translation of PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 106 - 126. If you'd like to read along or drop a comment on this episode to continue the conversation, find its entry on my website, markscarbrough.com. [04:10] An overview of the three explanations for moon spots and of the structure of this passage. [06:27] Beatrice's metaphysical explanation for moon spots. [16:32] Dante's fully aligned (and thus broken) cosmos. [19:05] Two astrological implications from Beatrice's metaphysics. [22:41] Beatrice's metaphors in the passage. [26:37] Rereading PARADISO, Canto II, lines 106 - 126.