Dante's on the verge of exploding with doubt. Marco of Lombardy's snark about the loss of valor in the bows of this world has done little more than leave the pilgrim in a theological puzzle: How did the world get so bad?

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore Dante's question to Marco before we turn to Marco's central discourse, the very middle of the great masterwork COMEDY.

Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:48] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XVI, lines 52 - 63. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, please find this specific episode on my website, markscarbrough.com.

[03:21] Dante's question assumes the values of chivalry.

[08:34] Can the redeemed instigate doubt?

[10:36] Dante ties Marco's snark back to Guido del Duca's nostalgia.

[13:19] COMEDY's new motivation is to bring back the answers.

[14:36] Dante's quandary is astrological, not truly theological (per se).

[17:00] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XVI, lines 52 -63.