Inferno Canto 9 with Dr. Leonard Oakland

[@BGV1983]

I’m a hair stylist / home school mom who has been on a journey of self education for the last decade. I was reading The Divine Comedy on my own when someone shared this resource with me - I’m beyond thankful. These lectures have been the highlight of my day! I loved the overview and enthusiasm today - makes me wish I could sit in this man’s class❤️.

[@connienail4013]

Very well done! 👏 👏 inspirational to hear others learning. Thank you for sharing.

[@treborketorm]

Dr. Oakland, thank you. I could listen to you all day. My brain is smiling.

[@williamgiovinazzo8523]

Yet another great speaker. You can this guy loves his Dante. Great job Dr. Leonard!

[@oekmama]

😅 I think all the speakers thus far love their Dante, and enjoy teasing out meanings. But here Dr. Oakland s excitement and enjoyment is contagious!

[@jennifermelton9598]

Well done. I liked how he ended it...Buckle up!

[@xwretchedxyouthx]

An excellent lecture. Also, I absolutely love the theme music that has been chosen. It gets me pumped for every episode haha!

[@danielkrettek2321]

The best presentation yet!

[@pjhammond494168]

Yes, I agree in terms of clarity and pace, well suited to a first-time reader like me. I don't think he has drawn out as many points as some of the previous presenters but, for a professor, he has excellent presentation skills on camera and I could have listened to him for much longer.

[@frostpond]

Agree

[@gamalsamy6844]

The Dr's excietment is contagious. Can't wait to read the next canto.

[@penelopegough6050]

Brilliant thank you. I always seem to miss a lot on first read through. This commentary today helped a great deal.

[@wmcook]

This is my favorite commentary from the series - insightful with great context. I hadn't considered it, but love the idea that Virgil represents reason/rationality. Also, Dr. Oakland doesn't look like he's reading from a prompter like many of the others in this series - a sign he truly understands what he's talking about.

[@shresthachatterjee1707]

Such a fantastic lecture! I read parts of the Inferno when I was 19 and largely unscarred. Now that I am older and have gone through things each canto is devastatingly beautiful for me to go through. Having such professors as gentle guides makes the process even better.

[@pierdecarlo9290]

Thank you Dr Oakland, that was an inspiring commentary on canto 9 and has left me excited in anticipation of the next part of Dante's journey.

[@sandrastreetman731]

Thank you Dr. Oakland. This was surely one of the best videos!

[@draconislycanthropy]

Best lecture so far, imo! I love your zeal Dr. Oakland!

[@joemicallef7226]

Thanks Dr Oakland your exposition is brilliant and inspiring. You certainly inspire us to go through the text.

[@msoma97]

A year late to the game, but loved Dr. Leonard's enthusiasm and lecture.

[@ShanghaiTex]

Just stopping by to say that I am throughly enjoying 100 Days of Dante but as someone who doesn't read classical literature often, I have been struggling with the last couple of Cantos. Dr. Oakland has turned that around for me with his wonderfully vivid guide to Canto 9. I hope we get to see him in more of these videos! Seatbelt buckled and I'm ready to go!

[@kathleenbasil9631]

agreed! I want to find anything he teaches on line!

[@NancyGerst]

Thank you for this helpful mini lecture. I would have a difficult time getting much out of this epic poem if it wasn't for this help as well as the notes in the Esolen translation.

[@frostpond]

Fantastic lecture. Thank you

[@sandygoodwin8225]

Wonderful! Dr Oakland is unabashedly enthusiastic about this work! i only had a few professors like that in school...he is a treasure!!!!

[@lisabaeringer6188]

Another great and eye opening mini lecture. Thank you.

[@raymonddokupil9484]

Go Dr. Oakland!!!

[@jimcampanini107]

I've had to take a few days off because of backlogged business, but have caught up with the Canto 7, 8, and 9. I thoroughly enjoyed them all. They really push the envelope of my mind to breathe and understand the amazing Dante the Poet. Canto 9 brought it all together and I thank Dr. Oakland. Hope he makes another appearance on the path back from Hell!

[@kathleenbasil9631]

me too! He was great! I'd love to hear him on each of the cantos!

[@fostergreene5892]

Just terrific the reading is so tough but Dr. Leonard makes it come to life. I would love him to read the Christmas Carol to my grandchildren!!

[@rickreed2180]

One point in Dr. Oakland's comments puzzles me. Has he confused the three Furies with the three Fates?

[@brendantannam499]

Yes. I thought that too.

[@Evenhurst]

Maybe a different translation

[@brendantannam499]

@@Evenhurst I think it's just an honest mistake. The Italian is 'Guarda», mi disse, le feroci Erine' which mena 'Look, he said to me, the ferocious Erinyes' (verse 45). The Erinyes are the Furies.

[@jennifermelton9598]

That’s what I thought too.

[@rickreed2180]

@@Evenhurst I don't think translation is the problem here. It is a matter of Greek mythology which includes a number of triads of female figures, including the three Graces (joy, bloom, and brilliance), the three Horai (associated with agriculture and astronomy), the three Graeae (associated with the sea), and others. Because Virgil identifies the three Furies by name (Alecto, Megara, and Tisiphone), even in translation they cannot be exchanged for the three Fates or Moirai named Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. I think Dr. Oakland just made a mistake. In a work as vast as the comedy, it is possible even for an expert to misspeak.

[@maryannoneill120]

Wonderful presentation

[@bej5000]

An enthusiastically presented lecture, motivating us to continue on, but to be prepared for the ride. Like others I noticed the confounding of the Furies and the Fates, but I think Dr. Oakland may have been speaking extemporaneously perhaps, not reading off a screen. Mention of the Epicureans threw me at first, said to be the arch heretics of hell, as I didn't recall that being mentioned in this Canto. Epicurus is quickly introduced in Canto 10, however. I like the line in this Canto (Ciardi translation): Like lies with like with every heresy.

[@patcamerino5456]

Canto 9: While waiting for the Divine Messenger to come to open the gate to the City of Dis, Dante, becomes fearful, taking note of Virgil’s own concerns, even though his guide has passed this way before. The appearance of the three furies threatening to call Medusa to turn Dante into stone does not decrease his fear! Virgil does not trust that Dante can cover his own eyes and provides assistance; reason does come to the aid of common sense! As they await entrance to the lower Hell of sins of violence, having experienced those of a lack of self-control, they suffer an anguish similar to that of individuals awaiting any major transformation in life. Nevertheless, it is slightly easier when a companion stands nearby. Then the Messenger arrives. Their journey can be continued, even if the steps ahead will not be easy. In the classical view, you cannot escape your fate. What will be, will be - in alignment with what God has willed. Reason may help us in undertaking common-sense actions. Faith, however, is needed to open locked doors.

[@Texas4001]

Loved the last line. Reminded me of Margo Channing in All About Eve: It's going to be a bumpy night. I didn't know Margo was quoting from the Divine Comedy and changed the word. Or was this just a coincidence of wording?

[@ustuppy]

Brilliant.

[@tomm5256]

I thought the furies were different from the Fates.