The Metaphorical Word

Towards the end of Dante’s stay in the Heaven of the Sun, Solomon’s ‘voce modesta’ explains to him the nature of the resurrected bodies that the blessed souls will receive at the Last Judgement. Upon hearing once more of the joy that awaits them, Solomon’s companions in the heavenly choir hasten to say ‘Amen’ and to show their delight—not so much for their own sake, Dante says, but for that of their relatives and those who were dear to them before they became ‘eternal flames’ ( Par 14. 64-6). Another light, equal in brightness, then appears around the souls present, just as the sky brightens towards the horizon when the sun begins to rise. Out of this light many individual lights become visible, just as the stars in the evening sky come gradually into focus. These lights then form themselves into a third circle, encompassing the two crowns of souls already present. Dante exclaims in admiration at this ‘vero sfavillar del Santo Spiro’, which glows so brightly before him that his eyes can no longer bear it ( Par. 14. 77-8).