The Imagery of Beatrice - “Years later she greets him”
Dante recalls, "It happened, on the last of these days, that this marvellous lady appeared to me, dressed in the whitest of white, between two gracious ladies who were of greater age: and passing through a street she turned her eyes to the place where I stood greatly fearful, with her ineffable courtesy, that is now rewarded in a greater sphere, she greeted me so virtuously, so much so that I saw then to the very end of grace." Whiteness stresses Beatrice's inherent purity. Beatrice is an embodiment of virtue which is evident in how she acknowledges Dante. The greeting is an instrumental milestone in Dante's love journey.
The Imagery of the Vision
Dante recalls, “And thinking of her a sweet sleep overcame me, in which a marvellous vision appeared to me: so that it seemed I saw in my room a flame-coloured nebula, in the midst of which I discerned the shape of a lord of fearful aspect to those who gaze on him: and he appeared to me with such joy, so much joy within himself, that it was a miraculous thing…After waiting for a little while his joy was all turned to bitter grief: and , so grieving, he gathered that lady in his arms, and it seemed to me that he ascended with her towards heaven.” The vision transpires after Dante beholds Beatrice, and the joy in the vision alludes to Dante’s unconscious yearning to express his love for Beatrice and be happy with her. However, the grief alludes to the possibility that two of them may never be lovers. Dante has an unconscious fear of not ever having Beatrice in his life.
“Dolorous Imaginings”
Dante explains, “I was so filled with dolorous imaginings that it became outwardly manifest in mine altered countenance. Whereupon, feeling this and being in dread lest any should have seen me, I lifted mine eyes to look; and then perceived a young and very beautiful lady, who was gazing upon me from a window with a gaze full of pity, so that the very sum of pity appeared gathered together in her.” The imaginings inspire Dante’s sonnet on pity. His face embodies the pity which he feels in his heart. The pity mirrors what Dante is undergoing at the moment; hence, his thoughts and sentiments flow freely throughout the sonnet. Grieving individuals deserve compassion and understanding for them to weather their grief.
Phantasy
Dante recounts, “But against this adversary of reason, there rose up in me on a certain day, about the ninth hour, a strong visible phantasy, wherein I seemed to behold the most gracious Beatrice, habited in that crimson raiment which she had worn when I had first beheld her; also she appeared to me of the same tender age as then.” The phantasy originates from Dante’s unconscious memories of Beatrice. Thinking about Beatrice is tantamount to regression. Dante unconsciously stores Beatrice’s memories; hence, he has not been able to suppress them. He is utterly obsessed with her that he cannot cease thinking about her and perceiving her phantasies.
