Hell “is one’s field of vision collapsing to the point that all you can see is yourself.” I really appreciate Dr. Reimer’s exploration here of the deeper themes of this canto, as well as the broader historical context of the Guelphs and Ghibbelines. The link between politics/family and heresy was fascinating, too, as well as his insight into the structure of the canto. Thank you for another great video that helped my understanding immensely!
Thank you, Dr. Reimer, for a well organized analysis of this important Canto. You shed light on the Guelph/Ghibbeline political situation (which I never understood before) as well as Dante's reason for discussing faction and family. Plus, the way the biographical information about Dante is woven into his relationship with the poem is fascinating. Well done.
Knowing few (if any) of the participating scholars on Dante ahead of time, I find a great deal of pleasant anticipation in clicking on the video link to find out what lies before me! It is almost like opening a present or a gift of scholarship and insight. I really am enjoying the variety of having so many different presenters, with their different styles and different takes. I imagine with 90 cantos to go, we may have some repeat presenters, but it will be interesting to have them return.
Who thought of this? Who put this all together? Who got all these people to record their thoughts on particular cantos? It's absolutely phenomenal and a really worthy way of experiencing Dante's Commedia. Bravo!
Book club at Prager U initiated a discussion a while ago, which prompted me to start the Dante project during the covid lockdown. It’s slow going but so rich and rewarding. Hillsdale College has a very good online course about Dante’s Divine Comedy as well. This series is the most detailed with a short lecture on each canto, with a very rich understanding of the context of the Classical Christian fusion of stories, myths, and philosophies as well as the interplay of local contemporary political figures of Florence during Dante’s time. I am keeping up and enjoying the videos very much. Bravo to the editor/ organizers !
Wow! Again, I am so glad I'm doing 100 days of Dante and listening to enlightening lectures as your own. I've read it 3xs and am still amazed of how little I know. Thank you.
Canto 10: The Sixth Circle is the abode of heretics who sinned against God by not believing in life-after-death. Many were Epicureans who, existing only in the present, lived life to the fullest. Their punishment was to be buried in iron sepulchers engulfed by roaring flames. At the final judgement, their resurrected bodies would be reunited with their souls to be burned together for eternity. Two Florentine-speaking shades, one of whom was Farinata, stood up to speak with Dante. Farinata, like Argenti of the previous Circle, was from an enemy family. However, since he prevented the complete destruction of Florence, Dante was willing to speak with him and not demand additional torment. The haughty demeanor Farinata exhibited while alive persisted as he gazed upon Dante and the surrounding smoking graves, which he apparently did not see. The other shade, Cavalcanti, did not realize that his son, Guido, Dante’s fellow poet, was still alive. Dante learns that shades in Hell are far-sighted; they know what the future will bring, but they become myopic about the present. At the final judgement, when a “future” no longer exists, because a timeless eternity has begun, they will become blind. They will suffer in a complete, internal darkness - a contrapasso for heretics who doubted an afterlife.
A useful and interesting analysis. Athough, it is a stiff and prepared delivery. Distractingly, the slow and dramatic whispery delivery needs to go. It's alot better at 1.25 speed.
Hell “is one’s field of vision collapsing to the point that all you can see is yourself.”
I really appreciate Dr. Reimer’s exploration here of the deeper themes of this canto, as well as the broader historical context of the Guelphs and Ghibbelines. The link between politics/family and heresy was fascinating, too, as well as his insight into the structure of the canto. Thank you for another great video that helped my understanding immensely!
You are right. That remark about hell was poignant
Thank you, Dr. Reimer, for a well organized analysis of this important Canto. You shed light on the Guelph/Ghibbeline political situation (which I never understood before) as well as Dante's reason for discussing faction and family. Plus, the way the biographical information about Dante is woven into his relationship with the poem is fascinating. Well done.
So fantastic!! I am loving this entire series. What a labor of love this must have been for all involved. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Knowing few (if any) of the participating scholars on Dante ahead of time, I find a great deal of pleasant anticipation in clicking on the video link to find out what lies before me! It is almost like opening a present or a gift of scholarship and insight. I really am enjoying the variety of having so many different presenters, with their different styles and different takes. I imagine with 90 cantos to go, we may have some repeat presenters, but it will be interesting to have them return.
Who thought of this? Who put this all together? Who got all these people to record their thoughts on particular cantos? It's absolutely phenomenal and a really worthy way of experiencing Dante's Commedia. Bravo!
This is in response to Pope Francis' call to all of us to read Dante's Divine Comedy. Just like you, I am beyond thankful for this.
Book club at Prager U initiated a discussion a while ago, which prompted me to start the Dante project during the covid lockdown. It’s slow going but so rich and rewarding. Hillsdale College has a very good online course about Dante’s Divine Comedy as well. This series is the most detailed with a short lecture on each canto, with a very rich understanding of the context of the Classical Christian fusion of stories, myths, and philosophies as well as the interplay of local contemporary political figures of Florence during Dante’s time. I am keeping up and enjoying the videos very much. Bravo to the editor/ organizers !
Wow! Again, I am so glad I'm doing 100 days of Dante and listening to enlightening lectures as your own. I've read it 3xs and am still amazed of how little I know. Thank you.
Great presentation. Clear and succinct. Thank you Dr. Reimer!
Wow, what a powerful presentation and canto, poignant for our time. Thank you!
Grazie mille
Thank you for this excellent lecture.
Canto 10: The Sixth Circle is the abode of heretics who sinned against God by not believing in life-after-death. Many were Epicureans who, existing only in the present, lived life to the fullest. Their punishment was to be buried in iron sepulchers engulfed by roaring flames. At the final judgement, their resurrected bodies would be reunited with their souls to be burned together for eternity. Two Florentine-speaking shades, one of whom was Farinata, stood up to speak with Dante. Farinata, like Argenti of the previous Circle, was from an enemy family. However, since he prevented the complete destruction of Florence, Dante was willing to speak with him and not demand additional torment. The haughty demeanor Farinata exhibited while alive persisted as he gazed upon Dante and the surrounding smoking graves, which he apparently did not see. The other shade, Cavalcanti, did not realize that his son, Guido, Dante’s fellow poet, was still alive. Dante learns that shades in Hell are far-sighted; they know what the future will bring, but they become myopic about the present. At the final judgement, when a “future” no longer exists, because a timeless eternity has begun, they will become blind. They will suffer in a complete, internal darkness - a contrapasso for heretics who doubted an afterlife.
I am so grateful for this amazing journey. Each session is so enriching and reflective.
great commentary
Great vid. I didn't get the similarities between heretics and politics before it
Deh umiltà bimbo
Great presentation! Thanks for the explanation of the structure of the canto. Very helpful
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A useful and interesting analysis. Athough, it is a stiff and prepared delivery. Distractingly, the slow and dramatic whispery delivery needs to go. It's alot better at 1.25 speed.