A Review of Paradiso by Dante Alligeri

 

                                                           1. Brief Overview of Paradiso 

So, I have now finished The Divine Comedy by Dante. My favorite of the three poem-books would have to be Paradiso. I feel Dante has been setting up his entire story since the beginning for this one. After all, without the knowledge of damnation for the wicked in Inferno, I'm not sure any reader would otherwise truly appreciate the beauty of heaven that we see next and last, in the trilogy. 

In the first two books, Virgil has led Dante through the tormenting fires of hell, the creepiness of limbo, and the suffering atmosphere of Purgatory. Virgil however, does not appear in Paradiso, and a young woman by the name of Beatrice, succeeds Virgil's role as Dante's guide to the Kingdom of Heaven.  

Paradiso shows us some of the greatest saints from history that now reside with our Lord Jesus including Saint Thomas Aquinas (Canto X) and Godfrey de Bouillon (Canto XIV). In fact, Canto XIV exults martyrs and crusaders to be in one of the highest celestial residencies. Canto XIII, finally takes the reader to Christ and the Virgin Mary, that reign nobly from Heaven's top level. 

                                                      2. Theological Themes in Paradiso 

As usual, our Italian poet finds opportunity to discuss theology in verses 19-24 of Canto V of the Paradiso. Dante touches on a very important theme in The Divine Comedy in this particular passage, as the freedom of the will, which he below discusses, is the reason that many will not go to heaven. 

                                          The greatest gift that in his largess God

                                          Creating Made, and unto his own goodness

                                          Nearest conformed, and that which he doth prize                       

                                          

                                           Most highly, is the freedom of the will, 

                                          Wherewith the creatures of intelligence 

                                           Both all and only were and are endowed. 

                                                       (Longfellow, 2008, p. 516)

The freedom of the will is a great gift from God according to Dante. Indeed, much of Christianity relies upon its understanding of the freedom of the will. Dangers arise quite often when some theological traditions go the extreme of limited God's authority and power by man's free will, while others hold to radical views as fatalists and maximum predestinarians. Ultimately, the scriptures do teach both the freedom of the will (John 7: 17, 2 Peter 3: 9, Galatians 5: 3, Proverbs 1: 29)  and predestination (John 1: 12-13, John 6: 44, Ephesians 1:11). Christians must keep in mind that both are Biblical and true, even if our senses and minds cannot comprehend their reconciliation with one another. 

Paradiso ends on a joyful note of the threefold circle of the blessed and Holy Trinity in Canto XXXIII. After a long, long journey, Dante has succeeded in showing us the afterlife for the those in hell, purgatory and heaven. 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. -Revelation 21: 4 (KJV).