Purgatorio Canto 21 Summary & Analysis

Dante and Virgil are overtaken and greeted by an unidentified soul. The figure explains that the tremors happen whenever a newly purified soul is released to Heaven—when the soul is free to choose Heaven for itself. This man himself has just been freed from 500 years of penance for covetousness.

The soul confirms the teaching that Virgil introduced earlier—that souls, when fully purified, are not so much granted release from Purgatory as they are able to freely choose Heaven for themselves for the first time. Since this man (about to be revealed as Statius) is one such soul, he will accompany Dante and Virgil on the remainder of their ascent as an interpreter.

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Quotes

Virgil wants to know who this soul might be, and he identifies himself as Statius, an ancient poet. Recalling his earthly career, Statius names the Aeneid as his “nurse in poetry,” his inspiration. When Statius says he wishes he’d lived in Virgil’s time, Dante can’t suppress a smile, and he reveals that Virgil is his guide, standing before them now. Virgil stops Statius from clasping him reverently around the knees.

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Statius was a poet of the first century C.E. who wrote on classical themes but, as Dante would have it, converted to Christianity in later life. Given the chance to meet his literary hero, Statius is overcome. The encounter between the two adds a touch of warmth and levity to the serious spiritual journey.

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Purgatorio: Canto 21 Summary & Analysis