Episode 83. Proud Omberto, Humbled . . . Or Humbled Omberto, Still Proud: PURGATORIO, Canto XI, Lines 46 - 72

We've come to the first penitent who speaks after the gate of Purgatory: Omberto Aldobrandesco. He's from a storied, titled family, a nobleman brought low. Or is he?

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we hear Omberto's side of the story, try to discern his character through his words, and ponder why Dante makes the first penitent of Purgatory proper so very boring.

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

[01:27] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XI, lines 46 - 72. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, please scroll down this page.

[03:55] More decentering in the passage: Is Dante trying to decenter (or humble) the reader?

[09:35] Is Omberto Aldobrandesco humbled?

[14:12] Or is he still prideful?

[15:54] Or is he both?

[17:49] Who was Omberto Aldobrandesco?

[22:55] Omberto articulates the basic understanding of purgation in PURGATORIO.

[25:53] But why does Dante make the first penitent beyond Purgatory's gate so, well, boring?

[29:16] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XI, lines 46 - 72.

And here’s my English translation of Purgatorio, Canto XI, Lines 46 – 72

It wasn’t apparent who among them

Spoke these, their [next] words, which were a response

To those from the one I follow.

Nonetheless, we heard, “Sticking to the right,

Come with us along this embankment to find a passage

That it’s possible for a living man to climb.

“If I weren’t stopped by the stone

That brings my proud neck to heel

And thus have to keep my face turned down,

“I could take a gander at this guy who’s still alive but also nameless.

I could see if I recognize him

And force him to feel compassion for this incredible weight.

“I was an Italian, born to a titled Tuscan.

Guiglielmo Aldobrandesco was my father.

I don’t know if you guys ever knew his name.

“The ancient bloodline and the grand deeds

Of my forebears made me quite arrogant—

So much so that I didn’t think about our common mother

“And held all people in such great contempt

That it led to my death. Everybody in Siena knows what happened.

And every kid in Campagnatico knows it, too.

“I am Omberto. Pride has made me

Come undone . . . and the same with all my kinfolk.

We’ve been shoved into utter calamity.

“Because of this reason, I have to shoulder this heavy burden

Here among the dead, until God is satisfied,

Since I didn’t do so when I still was among the living.”