Paradiso, Canto 8 with Dr. Patrick Burke

Dr. Patrick Burke of Gonzaga University reflects on Canto 8 of Dante's Paradiso.
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[@patcamerino5456]

Canto 8: Beatrice and Dante are immediately transported to the Third Sphere which is under the influence of Venus, whose position changes relative to the sun, so that she is both the Evening and Morning Stars. Dante realizes the transfer has occurred only by observing an increase in the luminescence Beatrice shines forth in the new sphere. Dancing lights of joy approach them. One of them is Charles Martel, not the “Hammer” associated with the end of the Merovingian dynasty and the beginning of the age of Charlemagne, but rather the son of Charles II, King of Naples (the Two Scilies) and Maria of Hungary. His spirit, as do the others in Paradise, takes great joy in answering Dante’s questions. Dante thought that if Martel had lived longer, he could have ended conflicts throughout Italy. However, he died young and was replaced by his brother, Robert, who lacked Charles’ "caritas.” Dante wonders how two sons of the same father can be so different. Beatrice replies that the perfect God makes only perfect creatures, but their behavior is modified by the movement of the “stars” (planets and constellations) which are less perfect, being influenced by various levels of angels with different characteristics. She identifies four prototypes of leaders: a lawgiver (Solon); a king (Xerxes); a priest (Melchizedek) and an inventor (Daedalus). Each person created by God has such a potential, but they grow in different “soils” where they make their own choices as influenced by the stars and do not follow God’s plan completely.

[@johndunham9236]

Thank you, Dr. Burke, for your beautiful presentation. What an incredible background! Aristotle's mention in Canto VIII is well attended to by your choice of art.
One may thing that reforming and reordering loves will get tiring as the Comedia keeps building and moving to the End, but I am not tired. Love is the window into the absolute and infinite. As we move into the sphere of Venus, our picture, and indeed the pagan one as well, is refined and brought up to the One from Whom it all emanates. Beatrice serves as a splendid ikon of this love, drawing him up through herself to God. Charles Martel belongs here as a mediator, but all he speaks on are things that ultimately must be moved past. Love runs through it all.
I impress upon us all to consider Gustave Dore's engravings of all the Comedia, but especially this one for Canto VIII. Beatrice's halo stands out...
Thank you!

[@raelynearnest3176]

A perfect background for this outstanding presentation. ♥️

[@saw700]

OMG I almost cried this was so beautiful 😭🤍💖

[@davidzeiger7925]

Was this filmed in front of the actual School of Athens fresco?

[@kathleenbasil9631]

Thank you Dr Burke! You are an excellent teacher!

[@emwenz100]

Thank you for a such a thorough illumination of this beautiful Canto.

[@netsailor2007]

So clear. thank you.

[@PatMcAnn]

Lovely.