The Seven Addresses To The Reader In PURGATORIO

Dante, the poet, steps out of the story seven times in PURGATORIO to address his reader directly--sometimes to spur the reader on to action, sometimes to put a bridle on the reader's intentions or thoughts. If we trace these seven addresses, can we find a developmental pattern? Or uncover Dante's changing attitude toward his work? Or toward his reader? Can we see a growing frustration or even fear about what lies ahead in COMEDY? Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we work our way through these seven call-outs to find ways to summarize the greater work and ingenuity of PURGATORIO. Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE: [01:31] PURGATORIO, Canto VIII, Lines 19 - 21. [05:23] PURGATORIO, Canto IX, Lines 70 - 72. [08:00] PURGATORIO, Canto X, Lines 106 - 111. [11:55] PURGATORIO, Canto XVII, Lines 1 - 9. [15:39] PURGATORIO, Canto XXIX, Lines 97 - 105. [19:20] PURGATORIO, Canto XXXI, Lines 124 - 126. [22:22] PURGATORIO, Canto XXXIII, Lines 136 - 138.