Felice

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In the verse Paradiso XII 79 («Oh padre suo veramente Felice!») the word Felice functions as an appellation, referring to the father of the person to whom the verse is addressed, according to a pattern typical of the canto, in which the condition of the blessed is qualified as true happiness, in keeping with the Dantean idea of beatitude as the sole «statum felicitatis». The notes to canto V of the earthly Paradise (Inf. V 121 and context) recall, with regard to happiness and unhappiness, the passage from Boethius «in omni adversitate fortunae infelicissimum est genus infortunii fuisse felicem» (Cons. II 4, 2), cited by Francesca, showing how the theme of true happiness runs through the Commedia. However, the authorized sources provided do not allow one to specify either the historical identity of the father designated as Felice, or his familial role, or the circle or heaven in which he is placed.