The Category of “Penetration” in Vyacheslav Ivanov and Dante: the Experience of Spiritual Ascent
Solov'evskie issledovaniya March 31, 2023 K. Landa 1 citation
A comparison of spiritual ecstasy in V. Ivanov's writings on Symbolism and Dante's Paradiso reveals a key difference in the category of 'penetration.' While both thinkers link a vertical relationship with the Supreme Being to a horizontal relationship with others, Ivanov's model of ecstatic ascent begins with erotic rapture and culminates in detachment from earthly things. In contrast, Dante's Paradiso describes ascent accompanied by spiritual interpenetration and interpersonal communion even at the height of mystical vision. The article argues that, despite similarities in other works, Ivanov's treatment of ecstasy in his Symbolist articles significantly diverges from Dante's in the Commedia.