Purgatorio: Canto XIII

Revisiting Gendered Representations of Humility: An Examination of Sources from Late Medieval Italy

“…3 Beyond Mary, Dante glimpses another scene: a cart pulled by oxen, which is carrying the Ark of the Covenant; people divided into seven choruses, possibly singing; and David, 'the humble Psalmist', dancing in front of the Ark and 'leaping with his robes girt up' so that 'he was both more and less than king on that occasion'. 4 Across from the palace, David's wife, Michal, looks at her husband from the window 'like a disdainful, wicked woman'. 5 Beyond Michal, there is another story sparkling in the marble.…”

“…4 Across from the palace, David's wife, Michal, looks at her husband from the window 'like a disdainful, wicked woman'. 5 Beyond Michal, there is another story sparkling in the marble. The Emperor Trajan, the 'Roman prince whose worth inspired Gregory to his great victory', and a poor widow, crying, stand in the foreground.…”

“…The Emperor Trajan, the 'Roman prince whose worth inspired Gregory to his great victory', and a poor widow, crying, stand in the foreground. 6 The 'wretched woman', Dante can almost hear her, is supplicating Trajan to avenge her murdered son. 7 Trajan, who is going to war, hesitates at first, but then consents to the request: 'Now be comforted; for it is fitting that I fulfil my duty before I move: justice demands it and compassion holds me here', he promises the widow.…”

“…6 The 'wretched woman', Dante can almost hear her, is supplicating Trajan to avenge her murdered son. 7 Trajan, who is going to war, hesitates at first, but then consents to the request: 'Now be comforted; for it is fitting that I fulfil my duty before I move: justice demands it and compassion holds me here', he promises the widow. 8 Just a few moments after the delightful contemplation…”

“…Severe words burst forth from Dante's lips: 'O proud Christians, weary wretches, who, weak / in mental vision, put your faith in backward steps, / (…) Why is it that your spirit floats on high / since you are like defective insects, / like worms in whom formation is lacking?' 9 In the plan of Dante's Comedy, those who succumbed to the vice of pride are placed in the first terrace of Purgatory, after the so-called Ante-Purgatory. The humble figures of Canto X diverge thus from the arrogant people who occupy the following Cantos XI to XII.…”