Three carved theatrical masks in black, charcoal and pale grey show different degrees of frowning against slate.

Original artwork, not a still

Dante Alighieri

There is no greater sorrow than to recall a happy time in the midst of wretchedness. "Inferno," cto. 5, l. 121-3

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

Remembering happiness during present misery is described as an especially painful sorrow. This comparison concerns the contrast between remembered and current experience. The final line is the retained Inferno citation.

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