The Encounter with Casella and the Power of Music
The Divine ComedyDante's meeting with his musician friend Casella on the shores of Purgatory, highlighting the soothing power of song.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
Bearing strength in each eventdecreasingCasella's Arrival
The Angel Boat
The Celestial Pilot
An angel pilots a boatload of souls to the shore. Among them is Casella, a musician friend of Dante.
The Embrace
Dante tries to embrace Casella three times, but his arms pass through the empty shade. Casella smiles and steps back.
Casella's Song
The Melody
The Request
Dante asks Casella to sing one of his old songs to comfort his soul. Casella begins 'Love that within my mind discourses with me.'
The Effect
All souls, including Virgil and Dante, are entranced by the music. They stand motionless, absorbed in the sweet notes.
Cato's Rebuke
The Interruption
The Stern Guardian
Cato of Utica appears and scolds the souls for lingering. He urges them to run to the mountain to strip off the slough that prevents them from seeing God.
The Scattering
The souls immediately leave their song and hurry toward the mountain. Dante and Virgil also depart, reminded of the urgency of purification.
The Significance of Music
The Comfort
The Soothing Power
Casella's song temporarily eases the souls' longing for Heaven. Music has the power to uplift and unite.
The Transience
But earthly pleasures, even beautiful music, must not delay the spiritual journey. Cato's rebuke reminds them of their ultimate goal.
Casella's Delay in Coming
The Angel's Will
The Three Months
Casella explains that the angel who ferries souls has been taking all who wish to enter for the past three months (since the Jubilee). Casella himself had been waiting, but now he has come.
The Tiber's Shore
Souls destined for Purgatory gather at the mouth of the Tiber, where the angel picks them up. Casella's journey was delayed but finally granted.
On the shores of Purgatory, early Easter morning
After the embrace, on the shore
During the song, on the shore
Throughout the episode, on the shore
During the conversation, on the shore
