Sapía now tells her story to Dante the pilgrim . . . and it includes one of the most blasphemous lines in all of COMEDY.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we look closely at one of the most honest and blasphemous monologues in the poem . . . and as we grapple with Sapía's incredible skills in rhetoric.

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

[01:39] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, lines 112 - 132. If you'd like to read along, print it off, or continue the conversation with me, please go to my website: markscarbrough.com.

[03:56] Indicators of Sapía's interiority.

[07:48] Her reaction to the Sienese battle of 17 June 1269.

[10:40] Sapía's right attitude toward God's will.

[12:41] One of the most blasphemous lines in all of COMEDY.

[14:54] Lighthearted folkloric storytelling amid her shocking honesty.

[18:48] The holy man who saves her: Peter Comb-Seller (or "Pettinaio").

[22:09] Honesty or manipulation?

[23:22] The logic of her monologue.

[25:13] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, lines 112 - 132.

Dante the pilgrim worked up the courage (or the flattery) to get one of the envious to speak up on the second terrace of Purgatory proper. She does . . . and gives him both more and exactly what (or perhaps a bit less) than he asked for.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as I work our first sight of one of the most intricate souls in COMEDY: Sapía. She's a lot more than Dante bargained for.

Donate what you can or a small monthly contribution to help me cover the many fees associated with this podcast. You can do so by clicking this PayPal link right here.

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

[01:18] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, lines 94 - 111. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation, please go to the page about this podcast on my website, markscarbrough.com.

[03:02] The penitent envious soul schools Dante the pilgrim by reassessing their relationship, both by family and by politics.

[05:53] Pilgrims choose to be other, to be strangers in a foreign land.

[09:19] Dante the poet focuses on the naturalistic details in an otherwise hyper-moral passage.

[11:35] Dante the pilgrim is apparently not teachable at the moment . . . . except he does understand the work of the will in Purgatory.

[14:30] The penitent soul identifies herself reticently . . . only by name and city.

[19:38] Her reticence is found in a generous canto full of explanations.

[20:55] One generosity: Sapía offers a succinct definition of envy.

[24:49] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, lines 94 - 111.

Dante has finally come among the envious on the bare, bleak, blue-gray second terrace of Mount Purgatory. We've seen their condition: eyes stitched shut. Now for Dante's reaction. And Virgil's reaction to Dante's reaction. And Dante's ham-handed attempt to flatter someone to speak up.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we approach on of the most significant and curious figures in all of COMEDY. Dante the pilgrim will call for her in this passage . . . and she'll make her appearance in the next passage/episode.

If you'd like to help support this podcast, please consider donating to cover the licensing, hosting, streaming, domain, and royalty fees by visiting this PayPal link right here.

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

[01:57] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, Lines 73 - 93. If you'd like to read along, print it off, or drop a comment to continue the conversation, please go to my website: markscarbrough.com.

[04:05] Does Dante think he makes a social gaffe?

[07:40] Is Virgil irritated at Dante's reaction?

[09:48] Is this an allegorical passage or a naturalistic one? Are we being played?

[14:45] Is Dante's flattery misplaced?

[19:19] Is Dante's flattery predictive of the poem ahead?

[22:41] How much irony textures this passage?

[25:28] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XIII, lines 73 - 93.