About this episode

The episode discusses the last two cantos of Purgatorio, focusing on Beatrice's symbolic significance and Dante's critique of ecclesiastical corruption.

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison discusses the last two cantos of the Purgatorio (32-33) with Joshua Charles of Eternal Christendom and Dr. Frank Grabowski of Holy Family Classical School. We are reading the ODYSSEY NEXT! Check out our 12-week schedule . See our collection of written guides to the great books! Check out Joshua Charles' Eternal Christendom . Check out Holy Family Classical School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They explore the symbolic significance of Beatrice's role in guiding Dante through his spiritual journey, highlighting her as a representation of divine grace and wisdom. The conversation also touches on the allegorical elements of the sacred tree and the griffin, which symbolize Christ and the intertwining of spiritual and temporal authority. The episode further examines the complex allegories of spiritual and temporal power, focusing on themes of judgment, schism, and the corruption within the church. The guests discuss Dante's critique of ecclesiastical corruption, particularly involving figures like Boniface VIII and the Avignon Papacy, and how these historical contexts are woven into the narrative. The prophetic visions of church corruption…

People in this episode

Host: Dcn. Harrison

Guests: Joshua Charles, Dr. Frank Grabowski

Topics covered

• Dante's Purgatorio
• Beatrice's role
• spiritual journey
• allegory
• church corruption
• divine justice
• biblical references

Keywords

• Dante
• Purgatorio
• Beatrice
• church corruption
• allegory
• divine justice
• spiritual power
• Eternal Christendom
• Holy Family Classical School
• Book of Revelation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Eternal Christendom, Holy Family Classical School, Avignon Papacy

Books & works: Purgatorio, Book of Revelation, ODYSSEY

More episodes of Ascend - The Great Books Podcast

• Intro to the Odyssey with Dr. Patrick Deneen and Dr. Chad Pecknold (2024) · April 21, 2026 · 1h 6m
• The Spiritual Harm of Lying · April 14, 2026 · 36 min
• Discover the Hidden Meaning of Narnia's Endless Winter · April 7, 2026 · 43 min
• Purgatorio: The Earthly Paradise (Cantos 28-31) with Dr. Michael West · March 24, 2026 · 1h 38m
• Purgatorio: Gluttony and Lust (Cantos 23-27) with Fr. Patrick Briscoe, OP · March 17, 2026 · 1h 36m
• Purgatorio: Acedia and Avarice (Cantos 18-22) with Dr. Sarah Berry · March 10, 2026 · 1h 56m

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