Poets and thinkers
Sordello
Poet and troubadour of Mantuan origin whom Dante meets in the valley of the negligent princes, recognized solely by the name of the homeland he shares with Virgil.
Profile
Sordello is presented by Dante as a solitary and austere soul, who lingers apart in the valley of Purgatory, where the two poets spot him, observe him, and finally approach him. At verse 74 of Canto VI the poet finally reveals his historical name, but the presentation of his identity is entirely entrusted to the strong bond with his homeland: at the mere sound of the name of Mantua, Sordello, moved, embraces Virgil. In the following cantos the figure of the troubadour intertwines with the guide of the journey: in Canto VII it is he who asks who the two pilgrims are and who recognizes in Virgil the poetic glory of the Latins; in Canto VIII he accompanies the poets along the ascent and leads them to the pass of Bonagiunta, while in IX he remains with the other spirits while Dante continues onward.
In the text
Linked verses
8 verses| Cantica | Canto | Verso | Testo | Open verse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purgatory | Canto VI | 74 | dicendo: «O Mantoano, io son Sordello | Open verse |
| Purgatory | Canto VII | 3 | Sordel si trasse, e disse: «Voi, chi siete?». | Open verse |
| Purgatory | Canto VII | 52 | E ’l buon Sordello in terra fregò ’l dito, | Open verse |
| Purgatory | Canto VIII | 38 | disse Sordello, «a guardia de la valle, | Open verse |
| Purgatory | Canto VIII | 43 | E Sordello anco: «Or avvalliamo omai | Open verse |
| Purgatory | Canto VIII | 62 | Sordello ed elli in dietro si raccolse | Open verse |
| Purgatory | Canto VIII | 94 | Com’ ei parlava, e Sordello a sé il trasse | Open verse |
| Purgatory | Canto IX | 58 | Sordel rimase e l’altre genti forme; | Open verse |