The allegory of the Commedia is transparently obvious here, for those who wish to stop and think for a moment or two. One has to not worry about the fact that pagan myths dominate at times, for they represent obvious sins found in classical philosophy and Medieval Christian Scholasticism. We are in the Circle of the Violent now. These are those who have not only hated others and been filled with ire [hence the anger and wrath consuming the Minotaur as he consumes himself], but they also acted on that hate by killing the other. From Zeno to Socrates to Augustine to Aquinas the bestial side of our nature was to be subdued and brought under control by our rational side. If that did not happen, then an individual was indeed “half and half,” half animal and half human. This is even represented by the conception of the Minotaur by that randy wife of the King of Minos, Pasiphaë, who had a hollow cow created so she could mate with a bull. Again, the animal side of her nature leads to actions that astound and stagger if taken literally.
Half and Half The allegory of the Commedia is transparently obvious here, for those who wish to stop and think for a moment or two. One has to not worry about the fact that pagan myths dominate at times, for they represent obvious sins found in classical philosophy and Medieval Christian Scholasticism. We are in the Circle of the Violent now. These are those who have not only hated others and been filled with ire [hence the anger and wrath consuming the Minotaur as he consumes himself], but they also acted on that hate by killing the other. From Zeno to Socrates to Augustine to Aquinas the bestial side of our nature was to be subdued and brought under control by our rational side. If that did not happen, then an individual was indeed “half and half,” half animal and half human. This is even represented by the conception of the Minotaur by that randy wife of the King of Minos, Pasiphaë, who had a hollow cow created so she could mate with a bull. Again, the animal side of her nature leads to actions that astound and stagger if taken literally. But literalism is not the point here, control of our nature and emotions is. Loss of that control is what led these violent murderers to be placed in the boiling river of blood. They spilt blood in hot-headed fury and must remain in hot boiling blood for eternity. The Minotaur shows what results when anger consumes a person, [and I have indeed known people whose lives were filled with anger, driven by anger, consumed by their own anger]. The centaurs give us a hint of admission that there are indeed two natures in us all, but the animal side can be controlled, such as in Chiron, who was Achilles’ tutor. There are times when I truly continue this battle with a variety of natures and emotions, all of which are appropriate in their own time and nature, but they will want to rule my life in ugly and evil ways if allowed.
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Kelby CottonSelected insights and reflections from 30 years of teaching and reading and leading retreats. Archives
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