Dante begins his journey across the known universe--except not. The journey stops almost the moment it begins in COMEDY.

What happens when you set off in a new direction but have no clue where you're going? Apparently, you get blocked by the beasts of your imagination.

Or maybe by more than beasts. By symbols. Even allegories. Personal, political, and/or social.

This tough passage has eaten gallons of scholarly ink over the centuries. I'll give you different ideas for what these animals "mean." But the answers may ultimately be your own.

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Here are the segments of this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[00:28] My English translation of INFERNO, Canto 1, Lines 28 - 66. If you'd like to read along, find a study guide for deeper analysis, or just drop a comment to continue the conversation with me, please go to my website and look for tab that directs you to INFERNO, Cantos I - IV: markscarbrough.com.

[03:18] Our first glimpse of the poem's complexity--that is, the question of the pilgrim's feet, sieved through St. Augustine and a commentary by Dante's own son, plus more.

[09:26] Three beasts! The terrors on the slope! I'll offer lots of interpretations for them. They've generated 700 years worth!

[20:50] The pilgrim slips back down the mountain, almost lost, until a figure appears out of the mist.

[24:29] A clue in the passage that helps us date the poem--that is, when it's taking place. It seems to be Easter weekend in 1300. Seems to be March 25. Problem is, March 25 didn't fall on Easter weekend in the year 1300.

[27:44] Rereading the passage: INFERNO, Canto I, lines 28 -66.