Il Virgilio dantesco tra cultura classica e medievale (The Dantesque Virgil between Classical and Medieval Culture)

Il Virgilio dantesco tra cultura classica e medievala dolce sapienza di Virgilio: un modello di pedagogia immaginale (The Dantesque Virgil between Classical and Medieval Culture: The Sweet Wisdom of Virgil as a Model of Imaginal Pedagogy)

pp. 12-30

Author: Maria Maślanka-Soro, Jagellonica University, ORCID: 0000-0002-0230-3836

Abstract: The article examines the figure of Virgil in the Commedia as a symbol of the tension between pagan humanism and Christian spirituality. Dante inherits the idealised image of the Latin poet from the medieval Latin tradition, but transforms it into that of a tragic and liminal character, suspended between two worlds. Virgil embodies the ancient wisdom and moral virtue of Aeneas, yet remains excluded from salvation because of his pre-Christian nature. The Virgil of Dante is thus a complex and dramatic figure, representing both the encounter and the conflict between classical and Christian culture: a wise guide and master of style, but also a soul “rebellious” to divine law, aware of the limits of human reason before grace.