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To The Scholar 'Noratio Elenchi, Regarding His Recent Review Of Some Of Dante's Poems
Forgive my curiosity, but I must wonder at the coincidence that you have posted another assertion in opposition to the unassailable precedents established by Dante, himself. While your ambition might be commended, however gingerly, I might suggest that the massive and enduring Dantesque achievement is a little beyond your reach---as a mountain's summit is beyond the reach of---oh, say---a small, scuttling entity scavenging through a weedpatch at its foot.
Previously, you questioned the precedent that Dante established when he populated the first canticle of the Divina Commedia with persons (from history, literature, and his own contemporary time) whom he disliked, or found offensive. I must ask, respectfully, how is this literary device any different than the Apostle Saint Paul's statement in 1 Timothy 1:20 regarding actual living persons? To your challenge to Dante's literary style, would you also dare challenge the great Apostle as well?
Now you have turned to Dante's first collection of poems, La Vita Nuova---the account of his encounters with Beatrice, the emotions she stirred within his soul, and how through the contemplation of these emotions he first entertained the ambition---which was full realized in the Commedia---to apply the language and customs of love poetry to the poetry of his Christian Faith. And in between these poems are prose commentaries interpreting, or suggesting interpretations of, those poems.
I do not question the self-validation that your opinion demonstrates. Admittedly, I am reminded of an experience from my undergraduate years---in which certain precosious students (whose ambitions were far ahead of either their accomplishments, experiences, or common sene) made wild, and usually indefensible, opinions in order to either attract the attention they needed to feel validated, or to deflect attention away from the deficiences that they brought, daily, to the discussion. (A senior whom I met during my freshman year, actually felt he spoke not only for himself, but for the entire class in which we were both enrolled during the spring term in April-June 7th, or so.) But, in attempting to read your words objectively, I am compelled to question either your sense of proportion (who are you to criticize Dante?), and your implicit failure to recognize that your opinion carries no authority based upon accomplishment. This reminds me of the angry astronomer who disliked moonlight because it obscured the light of certain stars, in or near the path and plane of the moon's orbit, that he had wished to observe. His few, published observations are nearly forgotten now; but, at least as of last night, the moon was still entirely present and functional.
I will close with these questions. When you make these assertions, pejoratively critical of peopling the Inferno or of commenting in prose on the Beatrician love poems, do you even consider the authority of the precedents you have attacked?
But, as I say, I commend your ambition---which, however misdirected, is certainly brave. I am sorry, however, that your response are diminished almost into quantum smallness by the shadow of the towering Damtesque accomplishment.
I offer this respectfully in the friendly spirit of discussion that animates the free exchange of ideas which is one of our most precious freedoms.
Starward
