Purgatory, Canto 23

The Sayers Text of Purgatory Canto 23 (Open PDF)

A Prose translation of Canto 23 (by David Bruce)

Summary

THE Poets are overtaken by the emaciated shades of the Gluttonous, one of whom recognizes Dante. This turns out to be his former boon companion Forese Donati. The two friends exchange news.

The Prepatory Lecture

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Questions for Reflection

• How do the penitents heal the vice of gluttony? What virtue is being cultivated through this horrific purgation?
• Why would Dante draw readers’ attention to the way our skulls spell out the word for “OMO” or “human”? Why is it important to rediscover our base humanity as part of the purgative process?
• How does Dante depict holy sorrow throughout this canto? Is there a way that we can smile and weep at the same time?
• Who is Forese Donati and how does Dante treat him upon their meeting?
• How does Dante honor Forese’s wife, Nella?
• How is Dante’s interaction with Forese a kind of redemption of his earlier misuse of poetry?

Purgatory, Canto 23 © Jan Hearn

The Images

The Penance of the Gluttonous: Starvation: The sin of Gluttony (Gula) is — specifically — an undue attention to the pleasures of the palate, whether by sheer excess in eating and drinking, or by the opposite fault of fastidiousness. More generally, it includes all over-indulgence in bodily comforts — the concentration, whether jovial or fretful, on a “high standard of living”. It is accordingly purged by starvation within sight of plenty.

​Since Gluttony tends to be, on the whole, a warm-hearted and companionable sin, often resulting from, and in, a mistaken notion of good fellowship, it is placed higher than the egotistical and cold-hearted sins. (Compare the corresponding classification in Hell.)

Mark Vernon's Lecture