Canto 25

Lines 7-12: “with other fleece…faith that makes souls known to God…”

· Dante describes baptism at the font and equates this entering of the faith that “makes souls known to God” to having a new identity. This sentiment of baptism spurring transformation or renewal appears several times in the New Testament. For instance, Galatians 3:27 denotes “for all you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Additionally, Revelation 22:14 claims “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and my go through the gates of the city.” From Dante’s perspective as well as the New Testament’s, baptism is a ritual that serves as a checkpoint to salvation. The act of baptism makes one worthy of salvation through Christ, which is why Dante uses the evidence of his own baptism to prove his worth to Peter.

Lines 19-21: “As when one dove perches…affection to each other.”

· Dante’s work is sprinkled with bird imagery as it is in the New Testament. For instance, when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Matthew 3:16-17 narrates “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Dante uses this bird simile in Paradiso to describe the affection he sees between princes he witnesses in Paradiso. In the same way, the simile of a dove alighting on Christ is God’s way of showing His affection for His Son. These lines directly following Dante’s speech about baptism fits well into his rhetoric.

Lines 49-54 “And that compassionate lady…before his warfare is concluded”

· In this canto, Dante’s hope is questioned by St. James. To set the pilgrim up for success, Beatrice speaks ahead of him and vouches for the hope in his heart (Hawkins 389). Hope is a virtue uttered throughout the Old and New Testament. For instance, 1 Timothy 4:10 explains “and for this we labor and strive, that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.” The mention of hope throughout the Bible discusses the confidence that believers find in Christ’s death and resurrection. In this passage, Beatrice and Dante point back toward God and the Church as the source of this hope.

Lines 112-114 “This is he who reclined…chosen for the great duty”

· This passage references Jesus disciple John, who was often referred to in the New Testament (in John 13:23 for example) as “the disciple whom Jesus’ loved”. This mention of John is an allusion to the last supper in which John reclined on Jesus’ chest, signifying their closeness.