Dante and Beatrice's Spiritual Love

The story of Dante's love for Beatrice, from his childhood devotion to their reunion in Paradise.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Beatrice's Intercession in Heaven

The Heavenly Appeal The Three Ladies Beatrice, moved by love, descends to Limbo to ask Virgil to guide Dante. She is prompted by the Virgin Mary (the gentle Lady) and Saint Lucia. Beatrice's compassion sets the entire journey in motion. Virgil's Report Virgil tells Dante of Beatrice's visit, describing her eyes brighter than the stars and her angelic voice. Dante is filled with renewed courage.

Beatrice's Reproach in the Earthly Paradise

The Stern Confrontation The Accusation Beatrice appears veiled and addresses Dante with severity, reminding him of her youthful beauty and his subsequent straying after her death. She forces him to confess his infidelity to her memory. Dante's Shame Dante weeps and admits his fault. Beatrice explains that his sin required the extreme remedy of showing him Hell. She then allows him to drink from Lethe to forget his sins.

Beatrice's Beauty in Paradise

The Growing Radiance The Smile As they ascend, Beatrice's beauty becomes increasingly radiant. In the Heaven of the Moon, she smiles at Dante's confusion. In the Heaven of Venus, her eyes sparkle with joy. In the Heaven of the Sun, her smile is so bright that Dante cannot bear it. The Warning In the Heaven of Saturn, Beatrice refrains from smiling, warning that her beauty would consume Dante like Semele. She explains that her smile is reserved for the Empyrean.

Beatrice's Theological Discourses

The Teacher On Vows and Free Will Beatrice explains the nature of vows, the freedom of the will, and the proper way to make compensation. She refutes the idea that violence can excuse a broken vow if the will does not consent. On the Incarnation and Redemption In the Heaven of Mercury, Beatrice delivers a discourse on the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection, explaining why Christ's sacrifice was the most fitting means of redemption.

Beatrice's Departure and Bernard's Guidance

The Final Separation The Throne In the Empyrean, Beatrice takes her seat in the White Rose, leaving Dante with St. Bernard. Dante prays to her, thanking her for his salvation, and she smiles at him from afar before turning to the eternal fountain. Bernard's Prayer St. Bernard prays to the Virgin Mary on Dante's behalf, asking for the final vision. Beatrice joins all the blessed in supporting this prayer.

Before Dante's journey, in the Court of Heaven

In the Earthly Paradise, after the procession

Throughout the ascent through the heavens

Throughout Paradise, especially in the first three heavens

In the Empyrean, after the White Rose