Commentary Par XV 88-89

Cacciaguida's presentation of a genealogical 'tree' (Bosco/Reggio [DDP Bosco.Par.XV.88-90] point to the presence of the image of the family tree in [Purg VII 121], [Purg XX 43], and [Par IX 31]) of Dante's family, of which he declares himself the root, begins his wider exploration of the history of Florence, the subject of some forty verses (88-129).  Beginning with Benvenuto (DDP Benvenuto.Par.XV.88-90), there has been appreciation of the fact that Cacciaguida's words remember those attributed to God the Father (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22): 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'  Schnapp (Schn.1991.1), p. 150, argues for a reflection of Anchises' greeting of Aeneas in these verses (Aen. VI.687-688).