The Souls of the Universe: PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 127 - 148

Beatrice concludes her explanation for moon spots by veering away from them specifically to talk about the nature of the universe. Blessed movers turn the spheres. Or perhaps inhabit them. Or are bound to them. Or maybe even give them life. Her argument may veer into heresy as Dante brings his universe alive . . . maybe literally. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore this dense and abstruse conclusion to Beatrice's first major discourse in PARADISO. To support this podcast, 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: [01:20] My English translation of PARADISO, Canto II, Lines 127 - 148. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation by dropping a comment about this episode, please find its entry on my website: markscarbrough.com. [04:26] A paraphrase of this difficult passage. [06:14] Beatrice's central questions: How do the spheres of the heavens move and how do they disperse their influence? [13:03] Light as the vehicle for stellar or heavenly influence. [14:26] Heresy, angels, spheres, souls, and bodies: Is the universe at least partly alive? [20:36] Beatrice's incomplete discourse: How do some spheres have more than one nature and how are any dark spots dark? [23:08] The bigger implication: Dark and light parts of people . . . and maybe of the blessed. [24:47] Rereading the passage: PARADISO, Canto II, lines 127 - 148.