Dante is still hunched over, going along like a dumb ox, paired up with the souls on the terrace of pride. His pride has been lanced by their monologues.

Until Virgil tells him to be like the damned Ulysses. And then he straightens up and heads out.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore the curious opening lines to PURGATORIO, Canto XII. Dante seems to want to have it both ways at once. But all cakes spoil, no matter how careful you are.

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

[01:02] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XII, lines 1 - 12. If you'd like to read along or leave a comment and continue the conversation, please go to my website, markscarbrough.com.

[02:24] Did Dante really create a problem with the redemption of Provenzan Salvani in PURGATORIO, Canto XI?

[05:19] Has Dante really morphed into the oxen pulling the cart with the ark, rather than being Uzzah who touches and steadies the ark?

[09:55] How is Virgil Dante's tutor?

[11:30] Why does Virgil prompt Dante to be Ulysses?

[13:05] How exactly is Dante "emptied out"?

[16:18] Does the passage include a mistake about Virgil?