Dante Alighieri’s Purgatorio presents a fascinating cast of characters, most notably Dante himself, Virgil, and Beatrice. Understanding their roles and relationships is crucial to grasping the core themes of this cantica. This exploration focuses on the pivotal question: who serves as Dante’s guide and what significance does their role hold?
Dante, within the narrative, is on a personal journey of penance. His awareness of his pride, mentioned in Canto XIII, and the gradual removal of the seven Ps (representing the seven deadly sins) from his forehead as he ascends Mount Purgatory, are strong indicators of this. The Earthly Paradise marks a crucial point, where Dante must undergo confession. Beyond a penitent, Dante is also presented as a prophetic figure, highlighted by his insightful description of the procession in the Earthly Paradise (XXIX, 97-105) and Beatrice’s instruction to record his experiences (XXXII, 103-5). This duality – penitent sinner and emerging prophet – is central to Dante’s character in the Purgatorio. He represents “Everyman,” yet retains a distinct identity, explicitly named in Canto XXX, 55.
The presence of Virgil as Dante’s guide in the Inferno was already a surprising choice. A pre-Christian, unsaved pagan guiding Dante through the realms of salvation is even more unexpected. The conventional interpretation of Virgil as solely representing human reason, contrasted with Beatrice as faith, has been largely discredited. This view stemmed from a passage in Purgatorio XVIII (46-48), where Virgil states his limitations of reason, deferring to Beatrice in matters of faith.
However, a simple equation of Virgil with reason and Beatrice with faith fails to account for several key points. Beatrice engages in complex theological and philosophical discourse that demands intellectual rigor. Both Virgil and Beatrice are depicted as fully realized characters, not mere allegorical figures, as evidenced by Virgil’s introduction in Inferno. Most importantly, Virgil guides Dante throughout Purgatory, a realm unattainable through reason alone. And Virgil displays substantial knowledge of Christian doctrine, exceeding what one might expect from a symbol of reason.
So, who is Dante’s guide, and why Virgil? The strong connection between Dante and Virgil sheds light on this. Virgil’s status as a poet, his perceived prophecy of Christ in the Fourth Eclogue, and his political views, as articulated in the Aeneid, all resonate deeply with Dante.
Beatrice’s arrival in the Earthly Paradise may surprise readers familiar with the Vita Nuova. There, Beatrice’s character lacked significant development, mainly serving as an object of Dante’s virtuous poems. However, in the Purgatorio, her initial encounter with Dante is far from comforting.
Beatrice bears resemblance to Christ. Parallels to Christ were established in the Vita Nuova. Just as Christ will judge humanity at the end of time, Beatrice judges Dante. Yet, she is distinct, emphasizing her unique identity: ““Guardaci ben! Ben son, ben son Beatrice”’ [‘“Look. I am, truly, I am Beatrice.”’(XXX, 73). Like the souls undergoing purification in Purgatory, Beatrice embodies Christ-like qualities while retaining her individual self.
In conclusion, while Virgil initially guides Dante through the structure and logic of Purgatory, preparing him for spiritual ascension, Beatrice ultimately becomes the guide who leads him towards divine understanding. The interplay between these two figures provides a rich and nuanced portrayal of Dante’s journey. They represent the essential synergy between reason and faith, and exemplify the complexities of human redemption.
