Paradiso, Canto III (Analisi) - La Divina Commedia (Letteratura Italiana)

Summary

In Canto III of Dante's *Paradiso*, the poet ascends to the moon, where he encounters the souls of those who failed to fulfill their religious vows due to external forces. Among them are Piccarda Donati and Costanza d'Altavilla, who, despite being forced away from their vows, find peace in Heaven. The souls' beatitude stems from their alignment with God's will, and they do not desire a higher state. Through their dialogue, Dante learns that divine justice is fulfilled when the will of the soul aligns perfectly with God's, leading to eternal peace and contentment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The third canto of Dante's *Paradiso* takes place in the moon, where souls reside who failed to keep their vows.
• 😀 Dante, after being convinced by Beatrice about the lunar spots, sees a vision of ethereal human faces, which he mistakenly believes are reflections.
• 😀 Beatrice explains that Dante is not seeing reflections, but rather souls who reside in that sky because they broke their vows.
• 😀 Dante engages with one of the souls, who reveals that she was a nun who was forcibly removed from her convent and had to lead a different life.
• 😀 The soul, Piccarda Donati, explains that all souls in paradise are blessed because they align with God's will, even those in the moon who broke their vows.
• 😀 Piccarda clarifies that the souls in the moon don't desire higher positions but are content with their assigned place, as they are in harmony with God's will.
• 😀 Dante's confusion about the incomplete vow is clarified, and Piccarda explains that her life was diverted by her brother's forceful intervention.
• 😀 Costanza d'Altavilla, another soul in the moon, also experienced a similar fate, having been forced into a worldly life, but she remained faithful at heart.
• 😀 Piccarda and Costanza both reflect the theme that divine charity and spiritual will govern the souls' placement in the celestial spheres.
• 😀 Dante learns that the ultimate beatitude in paradise is full conformity to God's will, which leads to eternal peace and happiness for the souls.
• 😀 The canto emphasizes the perfect harmony between individual wills and God's will in the paradise, which is symbolized as the 'sea' where all souls are oriented.

Q & A

What is the setting of Canto III in Dante's Paradiso?

Canto III takes place in the Moon, which is the first celestial sphere Dante visits in the Paradise. In this sky, souls who failed to keep their religious vows due to external factors reside.

Why does Dante initially mistake the figures he sees for reflections?

Dante mistakes the figures for reflections because their contours are faint and appear to be seen in a clear, shallow pool of water, making them resemble the faint outline of a pearl on a white surface.

Who does Dante first converse with in this canto, and what is her story?

Dante first converses with Piccarda Donati, who explains that she had taken religious vows to become a nun but was forcibly removed from the convent by her brother and compelled to live a secular life.

What is the condition of the souls Dante encounters in the Moon?

The souls in the Moon are those who failed to fulfill their religious vows because of external forces, such as family pressure, and they are placed here as a result of their inability to maintain their commitments.

How does Piccarda describe the nature of the souls' desires in Paradise?

Piccarda explains that the souls' desires are perfectly aligned with the divine will. Their satisfaction comes from this harmonious union, and they do not desire anything other than what God has ordained for them.

What metaphor does Dante use to describe Piccarda’s unfulfilled vow?

Dante metaphorically compares Piccarda’s unfulfilled vow to an unfinished tapestry, suggesting that her vow was left incomplete, much like a piece of art left in progress.

What role does the concept of 'carità' (charity) play in the experience of the souls in Paradise?

Carità (charity) is a central virtue for the souls in Paradise. It is the divine charity that shapes their willingness to accept their circumstances and to find joy in their alignment with God’s will, regardless of their position in Heaven.

How does Piccarda’s story connect with that of Constanza d’Altavilla?

Both Piccarda and Constanza d’Altavilla were forced to abandon their religious vows due to external pressures. However, their hearts remained faithful to their vows. Constanza, like Piccarda, was forced to live a secular life, but she kept her devotion in spirit.

What does Piccarda say about the souls' desire for a higher place in Heaven?

Piccarda explains that the souls in the Moon do not desire a higher place in Heaven because their will is completely satisfied with their position. Their happiness comes from perfectly aligning their will with God's, and desiring more would create disharmony with the divine plan.

How does Dante's understanding of the nature of Paradise evolve in this canto?

Dante’s understanding of Paradise deepens as he learns that the true happiness of the souls comes from their complete alignment with God's will. He realizes that there is no desire or discord in Paradise because each soul perfectly accepts their divine order and placement.