Dante, Purgatorio
Rodolph in the Valley of Princes
Sordello points to the spirit seated higher than the others, who seems to have neglected what he should have done and does not move his lips with their song. He names him Emperor Rodolph. The account says Rodolph could have healed Italy's wounds. The spirit next to him, identified as Ottocar, offers comfort while the company remains within the valley.
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In the sources
The encounter
LiterarySordello points to the spirit seated higher than the others, who seems to have neglected what he should have done and does not move his lips with their song. He names him Emperor Rodolph.
Further detail
LiteraryThe account says Rodolph could have healed Italy's wounds. The spirit next to him, identified as Ottocar, offers comfort while the company remains within the valley.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows the supplied Thompson & Thomas edition of H. F. Cary’s translation. It describes Dante’s literary vision, distinguishing its assignments and reported claims from historical biography, other classical traditions and independently established accounts of an afterlife.
Original passages
Source 1
Purgatory and Paradise: The Vision of Dante
The Emperor Rodolph call, who might have heal'dOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Purgatory and Paradise, Cary translation; active reader leaf 47
Passage read in the exact edition’s extracted canto text; whitespace-normalised anchor and original-leaf mapping checked. Associated plates separately inspected.
- Edition
- IMJ-0119-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0119-E001-P0047
- Original scan leaf
- 48
- Recorded leaf number
- 48
- Current Reader position
- 44
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Purgatory and Paradise: The Vision of Dante
The wounds whereof fair Italy hath died, So that by others she revives but slowly. He, who with kindly visage comforts him, Sway'd in that country,Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Purgatory and Paradise, Cary translation; active reader leaf 48
Passage read in the exact edition’s extracted canto text; whitespace-normalised anchor and original-leaf mapping checked. Associated plates separately inspected.
- Edition
- IMJ-0119-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0119-E001-P0048
- Original scan leaf
- 49
- Recorded leaf number
- 49
- Current Reader position
- 45
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Illustrations
Continue exploring
Literary & Visionary Figures ↗
Ottocar beside Rodolph
A consoling ruler is contrasted with his heir in the valley's political portrait.
Shared source pageThe Limit on Ascent after Sunset
The mountain cannot be climbed upward once daylight has gone.
Shared illustrationHarry of England in the Valley
The English king appears alone within the company of waiting rulers.
Shared illustrationWilliam of Montferrat's Upward Gaze
A marquis sits lowest in the valley while looking upward.