However, Beatrice's role is not purely symbolic: at times, she interacts with Dante simply as herself. The most notable of these is the episode in the [[Earthly Paradise]] where Dante is first reunited with her ([[Purgatorio]], canto XXX). Beatrice arrives amid a highly symbolic pageant, but speaks to Dante plainly, as one person to another, rebuking him for not being faithful to her memory. | However, Beatrice's role is not purely symbolic: at times, she interacts with Dante simply as herself. The most notable of these is the episode in the [[Earthly Paradise]] where Dante is first reunited with her ([[Purgatorio]], canto XXX). Beatrice arrives amid a highly symbolic pageant, but speaks to Dante plainly, as one person to another, rebuking him for not being faithful to her memory. |