Paradiso

“The glory of Him who moves all things / pervades the universe and shines / in one part more and in another less.”

The first line of the Paradiso is a lofty poetic introduction to the divine themes of the poem. Dante’s language alludes to Aristotle’s concept of God as the Prime (or Unmoved) Mover, a concept further elaborated in the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas. Dante also hints at his frequent theme that divinity is reflected in creation in a multitude of ways and degrees.

“[T]he light of God so penetrates the universe / according to the fitness of its parts to take it in / that there is nothing [that] can withstand its beam.”

This quote depicts God as a light illuminating all the truths of creation, a light that is irresistible in its force. Dante observes that God’s light is even able to penetrate the throng of souls in the roster of the highest heaven, indicating that nothing can obscure God’s truth. Light is an important symbol throughout Paradiso, reflecting the light of spiritual truth and salvation, as well as God’s power (See: Symbols & Motifs).

“[S]o her gaze, pouring through my eyes / on my imagination, made itself my own, and I / against our practice, set my eyes upon the sun.”

In this passage, Dante first alludes to Beatrice’s eyes, which look upward at the end of many of the cantos, directing her gaze—and hence Dante’s as well—to God. Since her beatitude places her beyond earthly concerns, Beatrice is able to look directly at the sun (i.e., God), which people on earth cannot safely do.