Dissertation on Birds of Prey and the Sport - the Falconry Heritage ...

che a tutti un fil di ferro i cigli fora
e cuce si, come a sparvier selvaggio
si fa per0 che queto non dimora.
(Purgatorio XIII, 67-72)
Envy is a sin related to the eyes, therefore it is appropriate that the sinners lose their
sight. The contrapasso of this method of correction is often seen in the false cognate of
the word invidia with the Latin in video. However, its appropriateness goes well past that
simple explanation. As a falconry reference, the wild sparrowhawk is an apt image, for it
is an animal whose sight is very keen, but which needs to be trained in order to use its
sight in the proper way, to have a singleness of purpose in hunting, and not pay attention
to random distractions. The sinners are learning to use their sight properly as well, to
gain the singleness of purpose to crave only God, rather than the goods of their
neighbors. The sewing of the eyelids adds a dimension of attitude adjustment for the
souls in which, without sight, they are learning to be motivated by forces outside
themselves that they cannot see, the dictates of God rather than their own whims.
Throughout the Commedia, Dante is like a falcon under instruction; in his entire
progression through the afterlife, he is learning to pay attention to what he ought,
learning to direct his mind to the greatest good, and learning to be a servant of God. In
Canto XIX of Purgatorio, Dante the pilgrim is overtly identified for the first time as a
falcon. Having just been bemused by his dream of the Siren, he keeps his eyes on the
ground. Virgil reminds him where he ought to direct his eyes-to his divine master, who
is luring him:
"Vedesti" disse "quell'antica strega
che sola sovra noi omai si piagne;
vedesti come l'uom da lei si slega.