Piccarda Donati's Broken Vow

The story of Piccarda Donati, a nun who was forced to break her vows and now resides in the lowest heaven.

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Piccarda's Appearance in the Moon

The Faint Shade The Vision Dante sees faces as faint reflections in glass or water. Beatrice tells him these are true substances, souls who broke their vows. Piccarda's Identity One shade speaks, identifying herself as Piccarda Donati. She was a nun but was forced to leave the convent.

Piccarda's Story

The Forced Marriage The Cloister Piccarda fled the world and took the veil, following St. Clare. But men accustomed to evil tore her from the sweet cloister and forced her into marriage. The Will She never inwardly consented to the violation. Her will remained with God, though her body was taken. This is why she is here, not lower.

The Empress Constance

The Other Nun Constance's Fate Piccarda points to another soul, the Empress Constance, who was also a nun forced to marry. She bore Frederick II but never lost her inner devotion. The Shared Lot Both women are in the slowest sphere because their vows were neglected. Yet they are content, for their will is one with God's.

The Doctrine of Vows

The Explanation Beatrice's Clarification Beatrice later explains that violence does not excuse a broken vow if the will does not fully resist. Piccarda's will was not perfect, so she is here. The Hierarchy of Bliss Piccarda's contentment shows that all souls in Paradise are happy, though their degrees of beatitude differ. 'In His will is our peace.'

Piccarda's Departure

The Vanishing The Song Piccarda sings 'Ave Maria' and then vanishes like a heavy object sinking in deep water. Dante's sight follows her as long as possible. The Turn to Beatrice Dante turns back to Beatrice, but her radiance is so intense that he cannot bear it. He is left with new questions.

In the first heaven, the Moon, among the inconstant

During the conversation in the Moon

After Piccarda's story, in the Moon

After Piccarda's speech, in the Moon

At the end of the encounter, in the Moon