Dante’s Pale Blue Dot

Very near the end of the "Divine Comedy", Dante and his beloved Beatrice leave behind the planets of our solar system and enter what was known as the sphere of the Fixed Stars. "Before you enter further here," Beatrice tells Dante, "look down and see how vast a universe / I have put beneath your … Continue reading Dante’s Pale Blue Dot →

Discovering Paradise Lost

I don't know how I've never read John Milton's "Paradise Lost," but I'm here for it now and it's already blowing me away. The first two of its twelve parts are densely filled with poetry that's surprisingly easy to read, and with so many dramatic images that I've lost count. The first surprise for me … Continue reading Discovering Paradise Lost →