Well, I found a great bookstore here in town. I bought the Count of Monte Christo. I was quite happy because not only is this one of my favorite novels, but it was much bigger then I remembered. I think I might have always read abridged versions without knowing it. As such, I could have 200 new pages to read through. Combine this with my mothers gift of "The Portable Oscar Wilde" and I have my work cut out for me in a very very good way.
I also found out that I am going to be having a root canal very soon. I had surgery on a tooth about 6 years ago which was never canalized (which should have been part of the procedure.) Now, bad things are happening, and I require a root canal. And I hate having knifes and drills in my mouth. It seems so very drastic.
I spent the rest of my time wandering through the city. Parts of it have a old, colorful yet faded look to it. I personally do not like that in a larger city. In small villages, that look makes them quaint tourist traps, but in a larger city, it gives a tired air. I just have trouble in a place that eats mostly fish. Fish is to meat as tofu is to vegetables. They theoretically belong to the other categories, but it takes a hippy to enjoy them. And hippys steal and lie. I suppose that is why my parents dislike my night time wanderings.
The more I read of Dante, the more I am puzzled by him. Unfortunately, every detail must be considered important. But this leaves me puzzling about the nature of some of the characters, such as Minos the Judge and Phlegyas the ferryman. They are not demons or angels or tortured souls. But they do not seem to fit into the category of pure constructions of thought. They serve too integral a purpose in Hell.
On the other hand, some parts of Dante strike me for the first time. Because of the structure of Hell, I have always thought of Satan as being half out of hell. For the first time, I realized that he is half in hell. Just as he is chewing on the three great betrayers, Hell physically has him (the greatest betrayer) in its mouth. Dante provides a great image of Hell in the chewing of Brutus, Cassius, and Judas. While Satan is chewing, bloody tears are running down his face. He is not enjoying himself. Yet he is determined to make the three of them suffer just as much as he is suffering. Even if he must hurt himself to cause them pain, he considers it worth it. So opposite of our God. Thankfully.
--Andy
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2 comments:
whew. i had never thought of the fact that satan was in hell's mouth. way to read dante.
i definently want to revisit the old italian and spend a little time with him. hopefully this will not require lying and stealing, though i am far more amenable to being a hippie than most other occupations.
I don't know. The whole idea of never taking showers and only eating veggies doesn't sit well. I must admit. Making a living by begging and playing bad guitar does sound nice.
--Andy
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