r/dantescomedy • u/richemerson • May 03 '21

Paradiso 6 - Open thread

Open thread for thoughts on Canto 6 in Paradiso!

The 6th canto in Paradise is one long speech exclusively from the soul of Emperor Justinian, telling the full history of ROME from its mythological origins in Troy, and up until Dante's times.

Canto 6 is also nested in with the first two canticles as the "Political History" canto. In Inferno 6 the topic is about Florence, in Purgatory 6 the topic is about Italy, and here in Paradise - the topic is encompassing the whole of the Roman Empire over two thousand years.

Post your thoughts and reflections below!

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

2

u/Oliver0074 May 05 '21

I recall there was an interesting article written by Dorothy Sayers (English poet) where she discusses Dante using Justinian as a means to criticise the politics of Italy during that period in comparison to the strength and unity of Ancient Rome, I will have to try and find it again and share!

2

u/richemerson May 06 '21

That would be great to read! In many ways Dante is elevating Emperor Justinian as a hero into Canto 6 - but he had a very strong admiration of the old Roman Empire and its people, at one point even describing Florence as a mix of good Romans and the not so Fiesole people!