Mythological
Europa
Mythological figure recalled in Par. XXVII 84 with the mention of the sweet burden she carried on the bull, according to the myth of the abduction.
Profile
Europa is named by Cacciaguida in the Heaven of Mars (Paradiso XXVII, v. 84), solely in the verse «nel qual si fece Europa dolce carco», where the memory of the myth of the bull evokes her celebrated story. The passage alludes to the abduction of Europa by Zeus, who had transformed himself into a bull, a theme widely known in the classical tradition but recalled here by Dante only as an image. No other biographical data or placement within the Commedia is supported by the anchor verses and the authorized notes: for the notes to canto VI of the Paradiso (OEBPS/par_06_note.xhtml) and for the note to Purg. VIII 122-123 (OEBPS/Text/part0050.html), the name «Europa» occurs only in historical-providential contexts (the Empire, the Malaspina) and adds no elements to the mythological figure herself.
In the text
Linked verses
4 verses| Cantica | Canto | Verso | Testo | Open verse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purgatory | Canto VIII | 123 | per tutta Europa ch’ei non sien palesi? | Open verse |
| Paradise | Canto VI | 5 | ne lo stremo d’Europa si ritenne, | Open verse |
| Paradise | Canto XII | 48 | di che si vede Europa rivestire, | Open verse |
| Paradise | Canto XXVII | 84 | nel qual si fece Europa dolce carco. | Open verse |