Inferno, Canto 28 with Dr. Patrick Burke

Dr. Patrick Burke of Gonzaga University introduces us to Canto 28 of Dante's Inferno.
100 Days of Dante is brought to you by Baylor University in collaboration with the Torrey Honors College at Biola University, University of Dallas, Templeton Honors College at Eastern University, the Gonzaga-in-Florence Program and Gonzaga University, and Whitworth University, with support from the M.J. Murdock Trust. To learn more about our project, and read with us, visit 100daysofdante...

[@joemccormick9109]

This presentation to me is the high point of the series, a diamond amidst a mine of jewels

[@brendantannam499]

I love these videos. They put so much information into such a short time.

[@rebeccaroach230]

Thank you Dr. Burke. A bright and clear explanation of Canto 28. I especially appreciate your thought “to obey is the very dignity of the person.”

[@BGV1983]

“Wonder triumphs over horror” - so beautiful💕

[@johnjansen5244]

i began reading the Divine Comedy several weeks and I am reading one or two cantos each day. I reached this point today. I would not have the same level of understanding and comprehension of Dante and his genius without this series of videos. Thank you Professor Burke for a wonderful and insightful analysis of this canto and thanks to all who came before you as well as those who follow as I proceed in my journey. This is the internet at its best and I am grateful for the wisdom and knowledge available here

[@emwenz100]

I put this lecture and that for Canto 15 as the two very best so far. They bring a sense of hope, even within hell about our human nature.

[@treborketorm]

Dr. Burke, Thank you! You make Dante come alive. I especially liked your comments about the role of guilt being the voice of conscience, and the two faces of astonishment being horror and wonder, and divine retributive justice versus restorative justice.

[@jennifermelton9598]

His voice is wonderful and mesmerizing. I had never considered how schisms could be an affront to God. Well done.

[@texas4197]

Retributive vs. restorative justice. The role of guilt, conscience, and wonder in history and in Dante's personal story. This analysis was complex and masterfully delivered. Thank you, Dr. Burke.

[@VoltismProductions]

Wonder really does drive a stake through horror, doesn't it? Sometimes when I'm feeling hopeless, a great awe-inspiring story suddenly evaporates the cloud.

[@5kidsNeverDullMoment]

Very strong analysis - thank you for tying the canto to the overall work, clarifying content in the specific canto, and providing analysis of this canto.

[@mikemtgy]

Marvelous lecture; I can only say, “Encore, Encore.”

[@donab70]

Excellent! One of the best lectures in the program.

[@nunyabizniz8894]

Thank you, Dr. Burke. This is my favorite entry, by far. I learned a lot from this.

[@williamgiovinazzo8523]

Very very well done. Excellent discussion.

[@brigettaeshleman874]

Very insightful.

[@carolynfouse9863]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@Gustolfo]

Brilliant.

[@maryfollen7389]

A great lecture! I loved the distinction between retributive justice and restorative justice. Upon reading again, I was struck by something. Dante places Mohammed in hell as a schismatic, for splitting from Christianity. But note that Ali, to whom the split into Shite and Sunni Muslims is attributed, is also condemned as a schismatic and similarity punished. Interesting that Dante condemns the schism in a faith tradition that (as a Christian of his time) he would be expected to dismiss outright. That is… to be a schismatic, is the sin… not the belief, be it religious or political or familial.

[@patcamerino5456]

Canto 28: Schismatics were breakers of harmony, sowers of discord, who brought about dissolution and a mutilated social body. The contrapasso for each sinner was his own mutilated physical body - split in half, with entrails hanging out. Others had a severed limb or even a severed head, carried in an outstretched hand! Dante’s images could readily appear in a modern horror movie. In Dante’s version, the wounds are mended with every rotation through the circle, so that the mutilation reoccurs throughout eternity! Both religious and political groups can experience a schism. Dante met representatives of each. He encountered Mohammed not as the Prophet of Allah nor his son-in-law, Ali, as a founder of the new Islamic religion, but rather as Judeo-Christian schismatics sowing disharmony among fellow Christians! As punishment, Mohammed was split from his chin downwards and Ali suffered a cleavage from his chin upwards. In a conversation between Mohammed and Dante, the Prophet indicated his concern for another living Christian when he requested that Dante deliver a warning to Fra Dolcino, the founder of a schismatic Christian group, so that the friar would repent and not suffer Mohammed’s fate. Dante also encountered Pier de Medicina, who encouraged Dante to warn fellow countrymen about their demise and need to take counteractions, perhaps avoiding similar torment. Once confined to the sufferings of Hell, there was no hope for entrance into Purgatory and Paradise. Although some shades did not want Dante to tell of their location in Hell, others actually desired to send messages to the living so that they might change their ways and avoid a hellish existence. In one of the parables, a wealthy man, finding himself confined to Hades while a former beggar at his doorstep was being held in the bosom of Abraham, asked that a cautionary message be sent to his own brothers. Christ indicated that even if one is raised from the dead, the message will not be believed! Dante, the poet, hoped to accomplish otherwise!

[@bryanbarajasBB]

🤔👍🙏😇

[@tedsexton5406]

Canto 28 is a good guess, but the real moment when Dante is at risk of losing his own soul is Canto 26. While climbing the rocks, he must go slow and think over his own life. During this process, he reminds himself to keep his counsel pure "Then sorrowed I, and sorrow now again, / When I direct my mind to what I saw, / And more my genius curb than I am wont, / That it may run not unless virtue guide it" (line 17)