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Canto 4
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Paradiso, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Earthly and Heavenly Justice
Creation and God’s Providence
God’s Character and Will
Vision, Knowledge, and the Pursuit of God
Language and the Ineffable
Summary
Analysis
Beatrice tells Dante it’s no surprise that he is often overwhelmed by the light of her gaze. The light “proceeds from perfect sight.” Already, Beatrice can see that light becoming mirrored in Dante’s own mind. She also perceives Dante’s next question: if someone fails to fulfill a vow, can something else be offered in place of the vow?
Beatrice already enjoys the “perfect sight” of a soul who is able to gaze upon God in Heaven. Dante’s soul doesn’t yet enjoy this state, so he only sees God’s light reflected through Beatrice; still, that light is beginning to be reflected in him as he progresses through the heavens.
Themes
Beatrice explains that God’s greatest gift is freedom of the will, which is granted to all rational creatures. The significance of vows comes from this freedom—a vow, after all (especially a monastic vow), is a sacrifice of one’s own will to God. Nothing can be substituted for a monastic vow. Under some circumstances, though, the Church can release people from certain vows. How, then, are these things not contradictory?
Free will is a gift from God to rational creatures (humans and angels). When a person makes a vow to God, such as a monastic vow, they are essentially returning the gift of the will to God. In such a case, the human and divine wills are in agreement, forming a covenant, or contract.
Themes
Beatrice explains that there are two elements of a vow: the intention to do something, and the agreement with God to follow through. It’s the latter that cannot be nullified, though the particulars of the vow can be modified—but this modification can only be approved by the Church. In such a case, the thing substituted for the original vow must exceed the original’s worth—something that was not possible with the souls Dante has just met. No matter what, vows are no light matter, so people should be careful when they take oaths. Beatrice concludes her explanation and gazes again toward the sun. She and Dante continue their ascent.
Once a person enters into an agreement with God, the agreement itself cannot be nullified. This shows how weighty a matter it is when the human and divine wills come into agreement. However, the precise terms of the agreement can be altered, if the Church permits this. When a person made a monastic vow, they vowed to practice poverty, chastity, and obedience, and Beatrice explains that there is nothing more valuable that can substitute for these.
Themes
Dante and Beatrice arrive in the second heavenly sphere, that of Mercury. Mercury is nearest the sun, so it is often not visible from Earth. Ambitious souls dwell here, especially those who were deficient in the virtue of justice. A thousand shining souls eagerly approach Dante. On Beatrice’s encouragement, Dante speaks to the first soul that approaches him, wanting to know who these souls are and why they dwell here.
There is an allegorical connection between Mercury’s position (its light obscured by the sun) and the condition of the souls who dwell here: because these souls sought their own glory on Earth, their glory is now obscured by God’s. As before, Dante is eager to learn more about what he sees.
Themes
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