Commentary Par II 1-6

The canto begins apparently by discouraging the 'average reader' from attempting to understand it.  As we shall shortly discover, only some of us are welcomed to the attempt (vv. 10-18).  We may be put in mind of the similar gesture near the beginning of Convivio (Conv.I.i.2-6).  That passage continues (I.i.7): 'Blessed are the few who sit at the table where the bread of the angels is eaten, and most unfortunate those who share the food of sheep' (tr. R. Lansing).  See O'Brien (Obri.1979.1) for a strong differentiation of the references to the 'bread of angels' in these two passages, the first accommodating secular knowing, this one based on faith and the Scriptures.  For the differing audiences sought for Convivio and Paradiso, see Vincenzo Placella (Plac.1995.1).

With regard to Dante's program for popularizing Aristotle as established in Convivio, see Sonia Gentili (Gent.2004.1).