Thus, Christ’s earthly persecutors could be justly avenged for tormenting him, even if the Crucifixion itself was a just act undertaken for humanity’s redemption. Beatrice explains that Christ’s Crucifixion satisfied justice in two respects: earthly (meaning it upheld justice in the eyes of Christ’s persecutors) and heavenly (meaning it upheld justice in God’s eyes). Dante wonders how it was just for Christ’s Crucifixion to be avenged by the destruction of Jerusalem. For Dante, this conversation with Justinian brings to mind a burning question about God’s justice. Dante meets the soul of the Emperor Justinian, who recounts the Roman Empire’s just and powerful history-a legacy that none of today’s rulers can aspire to match. Next, Dante and Beatrice ascend to the sphere of Mars.
But right now, the souls are appearing in lower spheres of Heaven in order to accommodate Dante’s limited understanding. In other words, all souls in Heaven are enthroned in God’s presence. She explains that all souls in Heaven actually dwell within the Empyrean (the highest sphere of Heaven where God, angels, and saints reside). However, Piccarda is perfectly happy with her destiny because her will is completely in harmony with God’s, and she cannot desire anything besides what God gives.Īfter this encounter, Beatrice resolves one of Dante’s philosophical doubts. Dante also speaks with souls residing in the Moon’s sphere, including Piccarda, who dwells in this cloudy, variable sphere because of the inconstancy of her will during life. Observing the varied markings on the Moon’s surface, Dante and Beatrice discuss God’s providence-the way his will is expressed in widely varying ways throughout creation. However, even that is sometimes too much for his vision to handle.īeatrice and Dante first visit the heavenly sphere of the Moon, the first of nine spheres. Dante finds that he can withstand brief glances at the blazing sun (the lights of Heaven representing God), but usually he must resort to gazing at the eyes of Beatrice (who represents indirect revelation of God).
From the Earthly Paradise at Purgatory’s summit, the two are lifted skyward by a kind of heavenly gravity. Nevertheless, he calls upon God for help in writing as much as he can.ĭante and his beloved, Beatrice, begin their journey a few days after Easter Sunday. Dante has journeyed through Heaven, the realm of God’s light, a place impossible for a mortal to fully remember, much less describe.
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