The Divine Comedy · Character

Matilda

Lady who prepares Dante for ascent to Paradise in the Earthly Paradise.

minor

Also known as the Countess Matilda

First appearance: Canto XXVIII: The Terrestrial Paradise

Matilda shows up with force in Canto XXVIII: The Terrestrial Paradise. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Matilda appears as a solitary lady singing and gathering flowers, who explains the nature of the earthly paradise and the rivers Lethe and Eunoë.

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In Canto XXVIII: The Terrestrial Paradise: Matilda appears as a solitary lady singing and gathering flowers, who explains the nature of the earthly paradise and the rivers Lethe and Eunoë. Later, in Canto XXIX: The…

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Character Web

23 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Heavenly Guides and Saints
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this canto, the dramatic climax occurs when Dante, having been emboldened to ask Virgil to teach him the na…

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In the story

Matilda appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Canto XXVIII: The Terrestrial Paradise
Matilda appears as a solitary lady singing and gathering flowers, who explains the nature of the earthly paradise and the rivers Lethe and Eunoë.
Canto XXIX: The Triumph of the Church
Dante's guide in the Earthly Paradise, who chides him for focusing only on the lights and directs his attention to the figures behind them.
Canto XXXI
Matilda draws Dante through the stream of Lethe and immerses him in the water to purify him.
Canto XXXII: The Tree of Knowledge and the Vision of Corruption
Matilda is the conductress who awakens Dante and points him to Beatrice seated beneath the tree.
Canto XXXIII: The River Eunoë and Beatrice's Prophecy
Matilda is instructed by Beatrice to lead Dante to the river Eunoë to revive his virtue.

Chapter companion notes

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See Matilda in Canto XXVIII: The Terrestrial Paradise