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Canto 6
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Purgatorio, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Purgatory and the Heavenward Journey
Love, Sin, and God
Free Will
Spiritual Power vs. Earthly Power
Time
Summary
Analysis
Virgil identifies himself to Sordello, explaining that he has been barred from Heaven for his lack of Christian faith. Sordello humbly embraces Virgil around the knees, praising him as the pioneer of Latin literature. Sordello wants to know more about Virgil’s eternal fate, so Virgil explains that Limbo, though “melancholy,” is not as grievous and painful as the rest of Hell. Then Virgil asks Sordello how to reach Purgatory proper. Sordello explains that there’s no fixed path and adds that no one is permitted to climb overnight—it’s a law of Mount Purgatory.
On each of the three major tiers of purgatory (ante-Purgatory, or the lower terraces, and the lower and upper levels of Purgatory proper), an interpreter appears who can guide Virgil and Dante. On the lower terraces, Sordello fills this role. Virgil explains to Sordello that he dwells in Limbo, the level of Hell where the unbaptized and so-called “virtuous pagans” do not endure torment but are nevertheless denied the bliss of God’s presence.
Themes
Sordello leads Dante and Virgil to a cliff, overlooking a valley filled with beautiful flowers and a sweet aroma, where they can pass the night in pleasant company. In the valley is gathered a group of souls singing Salve, Regina in unison. Sordello identifies the members of the group, among them the Emperor Rudolph, the prince Ottakar, and England’s King Henry. These figures are in Purgatory because, during life, they were too preoccupied with worldly matters to attend to their souls.
Salve, Regina is a hymn to the Virgin Mary, seeking her advocacy for sinners. The souls’ singing together suggests that communal prayer is an aspect of the healing that occurs in Purgatory (as opposed to isolated self-concern). The figures identified make up the Vale of Princes, and some of these—like Rudolph and Ottakar—were earthly rivals who now pursue a common purpose, suggesting that the suffering that goes on in Purgatory has an equalizing effect.
Themes
