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In this lecture, we will examine the most serious and universal of the seven deadly sins, the sin of pride. Canto 10 begins on the terrace of the proud. Dante, together with his guide Virgil, examines examples of the virtue that is the opposite of the sin of pride, the virtue of humility, carved on the sides of the terrace he is ascending. On this terrace are examples of the sin as well, presented on the ground where the bent-over souls must walk. We come to understand that the souls there are expected to learn from both positive and negative examples. As will be the case throughout the journey in purgatory, classical and biblical examples are placed side by side to teach the souls who encounter them. These famous stories also provide a profound meditation on the power of art to move its audience, and at this point in the poem, Dante the poet examines the purpose of the visual arts and the art of poetry as well.
