About this episode

Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Michael West discuss the themes and imagery in Cantos 28-31 of Dante's Purgatorio, focusing on the Earthly Paradise and the characters of Beatrice and Virgil.

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Michael West discuss the top of Mount Purgatory: The Earthly Paradise (Cantos 28-31). Check out our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Purgatorio. Check Ascend out on X, Facebook, Youtube, and More ! They explore the serene, uncultivated garden where Dante encounters the mysterious Matilda picking flowers, the two rivers (Lethe, which erases the memory of sin, and Eunoe, which restores the memory of good deeds), and the elaborate apocalyptic procession featuring candelabras, elders, symbolic creatures, the griffin-drawn chariot of the Church, and dancers representing the theological and cardinal virtues. The discussion highlights Dante’s use of erotic imagery, classical allusions (Proserpina, Venus, Hero and Leander), and the communal themes running through the Commedia, while noting how Purgatorio depicts the gradual strengthening of the will through spiritual “exercise,” much like physical training. The conversation then turns to the dramatic appearance of Beatrice in Canto 30, her stern rebuke of Dante for pursuing “shadows of false goods” after her death, and the emotional departure of Virgil, whose guidance ends as…

People in this episode

Host: Dcn. Harrison Garlick

Guest: Dr. Michael West

Topics covered

• Dante's Purgatorio
• spiritual exercise
• theological virtues
• classical allusions
• emotional rebuke
• sacramental confession

Keywords

• Dante
• Purgatorio
• Earthly Paradise
• Beatrice
• Virgil
• spiritual growth
• theological virtues
• sacramental confession

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Purgatorio, Commedia, Proserpina, Venus, Hero and Leander

Places: Mount Purgatory, Earthly Paradise, River Lethe, River Eunoe

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: Beatrice (Cantos 32-33) with Joshua Charles and Dr. Frank Grabowski · March 31, 2026 · 1h 30m
• 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

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Ascend - The Great Books Podcast podcast page.