Citation

Boggione V. Giornale Storico della Letteratura Italiana 2012; 189(627): 321-353.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Reconstructing the references made in Purgatorio to Lucan and to Dante's other works, this article aims to better define the role of Cato in the first Canto. Cato is not merely the guardian of ante-Purgatory; his role is also to oversee the entire process of purification which takes place in the second realm of the afterlife, by virtue of his being an innocent victim who has sacrificed himself for all of humanity. The freedom he speaks of is not political in nature, or if so, only to the extent in which it foreshadows a much greater one, the freedom from sin; nor was his suicide at Utica an attempt to gain freedom (a condition which for this Stoic does not depend on external circumstances), but rather to bear witness to the merits of freedom and to make it possible for others. In this sense, his act can be likened to Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Dante chooses to save this ancient hero because of the highly noble intentioris driving him; however, given the utter contempt for suicide in Christian theology, Dante cannot overlook the fact that Cato committed a serious sin that must be expiated. The harsh penance imposed upon the only suicide victim to be granted salvation is to remain in ante-Purgatory until the end of time, serving as a guide for all the purging souls.

Language: it