DANTE ALIGHIERI - From Il Convivio1 From Book Two Chapter 1_From The Letter to Can Grande1

  

DANTE ALIGHIERI

From Il Convivio1 From Book Two Chapter 1

Paragraph 1: Setting the Stage for Interpretation

• Dante begins by describing the start of his journey in writing this work. He uses the metaphor of a ship leaving port, with the "sail of reason" and the "breeze of desire" guiding it. This imagery sets the tone for a deep and meaningful exploration.
• He emphasizes the need for proper preparation before diving into the main content. This involves understanding how to approach the text and the method of interpretation.
• Dante introduces the idea that his work will be interpreted in two ways: literally and allegorically. This means readers should understand the surface meaning of his writing, as well as the deeper, hidden truths beneath.

Paragraph 2: The Four Senses of Interpretation

• Dante explains the four senses in which writings can be understood:
1. Literal Sense: The straightforward meaning of the text, without any deeper interpretation.
2. Allegorical Sense: A hidden or symbolic meaning beneath the literal words. He gives the example of the myth of Orpheus, where the literal story of taming wild beasts is actually about the power of wisdom and speech.
3. Moral Sense: The ethical lesson or teaching that can be drawn from the text. For example, in the Gospel, Christ taking only three Apostles to the mountain teaches that secrecy should involve few confidants.
4. Anagogical Sense: A spiritual or mystical interpretation that points to higher, eternal truths. Dante uses the example of the Exodus of Israel from Egypt to illustrate this, where the literal event also symbolizes the soul's journey from sin to spiritual freedom.

Paragraph 3: The Importance of the Literal Meaning

• Dante emphasizes that the literal meaning is foundational. Just as you cannot reach the inside of something without first understanding the outside, you cannot grasp the deeper meanings of a text without first understanding its literal meaning.
• The literal meaning serves as the material or subject on which other interpretations (like allegorical) are built. Just as a piece of jewelry or a wooden chest must be physically prepared before taking shape, the literal sense must be understood before moving to deeper interpretations.
• Without the literal meaning, it would be impossible to understand the other senses. This is because, in any natural or human-made object, you must start with the foundation before building up to the final form, whether it’s a physical object or a body of knowledge.

Paragraph 4: Logical Order of Interpretation

• Dante argues that even if it were possible to skip the literal sense, it would be illogical and confusing. Learning must follow a natural order: starting with what we know better (the literal sense) and moving towards what is less understood (the allegorical and other senses).
• He supports his argument with a reference to Aristotle's philosophy, which asserts that nature dictates we learn in a logical order.
• Based on this reasoning, Dante commits to discussing the literal meaning first in his work, before moving on to the allegorical and possibly other senses, depending on what is appropriate for the context.

Conclusion: Approach to Interpretation

• Dante concludes by stating his method: For each poem (canzone) he discusses, he will first explore the literal meaning, and then the allegorical or hidden truths, touching on the moral or anagogical meanings when relevant.

 

From The Letter to Can Grande1

Dante's "Letter to Can Grande" (Epistola a Cangrande della Scala) is a significant piece of writing attributed to Dante Alighieri, in which he dedicates the Paradiso, the third part of his Divine Comedy, to his patron Can Grande della Scala. The letter is also essential as it provides a framework for understanding Dante’s approach to interpreting his poem, offering insights into the meaning and methodology behind his magnum opus.

Key Points from The Letter to Can Grande:

1. Purpose of the Work: In this letter, Dante states that the ultimate purpose of his Divine Comedy is to lead readers from a state of misery (sin and ignorance) to a state of happiness (knowledge and union with God). Dante asserts that his work is both poetic and philosophical, offering guidance on both earthly and divine matters.
2. Types of Interpretation: Dante explains that the Divine Comedy can be understood on multiple levels, which he categorizes as:
• Literal: The surface meaning or the straightforward narrative.
• Allegorical: The symbolic meaning, where events, characters, and settings in the poem represent spiritual, moral, or philosophical ideas.
• Moral: The lessons regarding human conduct and ethics that the reader should infer.
• Anagogical: The mystical or theological meaning that relates to the soul's journey to salvation and the ultimate union with God.

This interpretative model is drawn from medieval biblical exegesis, where scripture was often interpreted in these fourfold senses. Dante sees his work as comparable in its capacity for multi-layered interpretation.

3. The Role of the Poet: Dante outlines the role of the poet as both an artist and a moral teacher. He suggests that poetry should not merely entertain but also instruct and edify its audience. His Divine Comedy is thus meant to fulfill this dual function, guiding readers toward moral and spiritual enlightenment.
4. Symbolism of the Journey: The journey in the Divine Comedy is symbolic of the human soul’s pilgrimage from sin (represented in the Inferno), through purification (in the Purgatorio), to salvation (in the Paradiso). Dante underscores the importance of faith, divine grace, and human reason in this journey.
5. Defense of the Comedy’s Title: Dante defends his choice of calling the work a "comedy" despite its serious content. In medieval literary theory, a "comedy" is defined as a work that begins in hardship or turmoil but ends in joy or harmony. Since the Divine Comedy starts with Dante lost in the dark wood of sin (in Inferno) and ends with a vision of divine love (in Paradiso), it fits this definition.

References:

• Literal and Allegorical Levels: Dante explains how different parts of his poem should be interpreted through these layers, such as how the mountain in the Purgatorio represents both a literal mountain and the ascent of the soul through penance.
• Biblical Parallels: Dante's method of interpretation mirrors that used by scholars in biblical exegesis. For example, St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas both employed a fourfold method of interpreting Scripture, which Dante uses for his work.
• Influence of Aristotle and Aquinas: The philosophical framework within the letter reflects Dante's grounding in Aristotelian ethics and Thomistic theology, emphasizing the integration of reason with faith.

 

 

 

 

Paragraph 1: Introduction to the Work and Its Parts

1. Importance of Context:
• Before presenting a specific part of a work, it is important to understand the whole work.
• This approach ensures that the part is better understood within its broader context.
2. Plan for Introduction:
• The author plans to introduce a part of a larger work, but first, will discuss the entire work to provide necessary context.
3. Key Questions for Doctrinal Works:
• There are six essential questions to consider when analyzing any doctrinal work:
1. Subject: What is the work about?
2. Form: How is the work structured or presented?
3. Agent: Who is responsible for the work (author, creator)?
4. End: What is the purpose or goal of the work?
5. Title: What is the name of the work?
6. Branch of Philosophy: What philosophical area does the work belong to?
4. Differences Between Whole and Part:
• For the specific part being discussed, three aspects (subject, form, and title) will differ from those of the whole work.
• The other three aspects (agent, end, and branch of philosophy) will be the same for both the whole and the part.
5. Focus on Specific Aspects:
• The author will first address the questions related to the whole work, making it easier to introduce and understand the specific part.

Paragraph 2: Understanding Multiple Meanings in a Work

1. Multiple Senses in a Work:
• A work may not have a single meaning; instead, it may have several layers of meaning (polysemous).
• The first level is the literal sense (the straightforward meaning of the text).
• The second level includes deeper meanings, which could be allegorical, moral, or anagogical.
2. Example of Multiple Meanings:
• The author uses a verse about the Israelites leaving Egypt as an example to illustrate different senses:
• Literal Sense: The historical event of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.
• Allegorical Sense: Represents Christ’s redemption of humanity.
• Moral Sense: Symbolizes the soul's conversion from sin to a state of grace.
• Anagogical Sense: Represents the soul's journey from the corrupt world to eternal glory.
3. Classification of Non-Literal Meanings:
• Although these deeper meanings are called by different names (allegorical, moral, anagogical), they all fall under the broader category of allegory.
• The term allegory comes from the Greek word “alleon,” meaning “different” or “belonging to another,” highlighting that these meanings differ from the literal sense.
4. Purpose of Allegory:
• Allegory allows a text to convey messages beyond its literal meaning, providing readers with multiple layers of interpretation.

Summary:

• The first paragraph emphasizes the need to understand the whole work before diving into a specific part, answering key questions about both.
• The second paragraph explains how a work can have multiple meanings, with an example showing how a single passage can be interpreted in different ways (literal, allegorical, moral, anagogical). These deeper meanings add richness to the text, and are collectively referred to as allegorical interpretations.