by Coleridge · Cluster: Dante
Abstract
A philosophical-theological fragment defining Reason as the clearing of the mist between God and man, quoting Dante’s Paradiso.
Connections
Motifs: Light and Dark Themes & Concepts: Faith, Truth Forms & Genres: Fragment Historical References: Dante
Testo integrale / Full text
[‘Finally, what is Reason? You have often asked me: and this
is my answer’: — ]
Whene’er the mist, that stands ‘twixt God and thee,
Defecates to a pure transparency,
That intercepts no light and adds no stain —
There Reason is, and then begins her reign!
But alas! 5
— —’tu stesso, ti fai grosso
Col falso immaginar, sì che non vedi
Ciò che vedresti, se l’avessi scosso.’
Dante, Paradiso, Canto i.
1830.