A review by whimsicallymeghan
The Divine Comedy, Vol. 3: Paradise by Mark Musa, Dante Alighieri

3.0

Well, I can say that this has been off to a better start than Purgatory. Maybe it was a combination of not caring about the content as much and the translation, because even though I’m still not 100% into the content of Paradise, I think the translation is better. This was translated by Mark Musa (same guy who translated Inferno); it’s more conversational and feels less like reading an academic essay. I’ve made it to paradise… and yet still there are layers to paradise. I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised, if the last two had layers, this was bound to have them, too. There are 9 Angels who circle God and so Dante is making his way to reach them. But with each layer he uncovers truths about the world and himself; it’s feels sorta retrospective in a way and has piqued my interest to read more. 

 

I feel like I’ve been reading this for ages, and I can feel myself burning out of it. The entire Divine Comedy is a long road, but I know I’m almost there so I’m not going to quit, but gosh am I losing focus. I keep saying I want to love it, but with each passing day that I go to read this, it feels like a slog. It’s not the translation because I’m actually liking how this is written (although the notes have gotten longer and longer), it’s really the content. Now that we’re in paradise I feel like we’re in heaven essentially and there are a lot of bible references. What I have liked are the references to philosophy, those are the parts that are engaging, too bad there aren’t as many. Only 20 more cantos to go! 

 

I will say, this week’s reading of Paradise hasn’t been as bad as past weeks. I actually found something quite interesting while reading - there’s a heavy influence and talk of the eagle and how that’s a big symbol in the Christian faith, which I had no idea. It got me thinking about the US and how their country animal is the bald eagle, yet an eagle nonetheless and how the US put so much faith in God and Christianity (I mean it’s on their money, “In God We Trust”). So I just thought this was an interesting parallel and one that I wouldn’t be surprised was thought out. I mean, this could all be well known knowledge, I’m just seeing it now. I have to say, this has gotten a little more interesting and given me some life in reading it.  

 

I am so close to the finish line with this. Dante is now in the eighth sphere of heaven, out of 10. There isn’t any real marker for the passage of time; it’ll just get briefly mentioned and I’m like ‘oh that’s where we are’. Not that I mind anymore because I’m just trying to enjoy the ride. I thought it was interesting this point that the translator, Mark Musa, brought up in one of his notes. He talked about how God liked one of Dante’s answers and let him proceed to the next stage of heaven - but if Dante is showing us his idea of how the soul reaches heaven, then wouldn’t it be assumed God would like all his answers? He wouldn’t need approval? I thought it was interesting. Because to me, the whole point of the Divine Comedy is to capture this journey. Anyhow, I’m curious to see where the top tier of heaven takes us! 

 

I did it! I made it to the end; it felt like a long time coming, but we’ve reached enlightenment essentially. Dante has now seen God in all his glory and it was blissful. I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy this because I did, there were parts that dragged a bit for me, but the concepts and the journey was interesting. I don’t know if I’d ever want to go on this whole journey again though. I think out of the three volumes, Inferno is the inferior volume and that’s the one that I’d probably see myself reading again. These other two volumes felt like more of a slog to get through and held my attention less. In the end, I’m glad I read all three and got to experience it once.