Keywords

• In the first canto of Purgatory
• the author of the essay suggests a contrast between the underworld (hate)
• which the poet has just left
• and the purgatorial world (love) he has just reached: the contrast is achieved both through descriptions of the landscape (colour
• lights
• stars)
• and through charity
• the new spirituality that characterizes the â€
• œ
• second kingdomâ€
• 
• symbolized by pagan Cato the Younger
• who committed suicide for love of freedom but
• rich in human virtues
• was saved by a charitable God