# Purgatorio explained — The Divine Comedy

> Chapter companion for The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

## What happens

Dante enters Purgatory and encounters a solemn, penitential atmosphere. He is guided by Virgil through the realm of the dead, where he hears confessions and lamentations. A celestial voice speaks of forgiveness, and Beatrice appears, rebuking Dante for his past sins. Through confession and the waters of Lethe and Eunoë, Dante achieves perfect pardon and peace.

## Themes in this chapter

### Spiritual Journey and Redemption

Dante's passage through Purgatory represents a journey of purification and spiritual growth, culminating in forgiveness.

### Love and Desire

Beatrice's appearance evokes Dante's youthful passion, which is transformed through repentance into divine love.

## Character check-ins

### Dante Alighieri

The protagonist who enters Purgatory, makes full confession, and experiences purification.

### Virgil

Dante's guide through Purgatory, leading him through the penitential realm.

### Beatrice

Appears with a snow-white veil and garments of flame, sternly rebuking Dante before his confession.

## Key lines

> And then a voice celestial that begins With the pathetic words, 'Although your sins As scarlet be,' and ends with 'as the snow.'

A heavenly voice speaks of forgiveness, saying that sins as scarlet can become white as snow.

_This echoes the biblical promise of purification and absolution._

> Thou makest full confession; and a gleam, As of the dawn on some dark forest cast, Seems on thy lifted forehead to increase; Lethe and Eunoë—the remembered dream And the forgotten sorrow—bring at last That perfect pardon which is perfect peace.

Dante confesses completely, and a light like dawn appears on his brow. The rivers Lethe (forgetting past sins) and Eunoë (remembering good) grant him perfect pardon and peace.

_Lethe and Eunoë are the two rivers in Purgatory that purify memory and restore virtue._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/purgatorio
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters