The Primum Mobile is the ninth of the heavenly spheres through which Dante and Beatrice journey. Unlike the lower eight spheres, it contains no stars. In fact, in exists completely within the mind of God, outside of space and time, while directing the movements of the other spheres by means of God’s love.
Primum Mobile Quotes in Paradiso
The Paradiso quotes below are all either spoken by Primum Mobile or refer to Primum Mobile. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Canto 27
Quotes
The order in the natural spheres that stills
the central point and moves, round that, all else,
here sets its confine and begins its rule.
This primal sphere has no “where” other than
the mind of God. The love that makes it turn
is kindled there, so, too, the powers it rains.
Brightness and love contain it in one ring,
as this, in turn, contains the spheres below.
And only He who binds it knows the bond.
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Explanation and Analysis:
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Primum Mobile Term Timeline in Paradiso
The timeline below shows where the term Primum Mobile appears in Paradiso. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Canto 27
...Dante is drawn by Beatrice’s increasingly radiant smile into the next sphere of Heaven, the Primum Mobile . This sphere, the ninth, contains no stars and isn’t visible; in fact, in only...
(full context)
Canto 28
...one before it. Dante is confused by this sight—to his senses, it seems that the Primum Mobile moves slowest, the outermost spheres the fastest—so Beatrice enlightens him. She explains that the size...
(full context)
Canto 30
...form of a great sphere. This light, he comes to understand, is reflected by the Primum Mobile and from there to angels, throughout the heavenly spheres, and thence to all creation. Above...
(full context)
