Outhne: Inferno Iv

Dante awakened by “thunder” (after “lightning”)

once again Dante cannot see in the darkness

Virgil’s pallor entering the first Circle

Virgil says his face is pale from pity, not fear

to Dante the lament here seems less mournful (sighs)

Virgil is eager for Dante’s questions about those who dwell in Limbo, sinless, but without faith

Dante grieves, realizing many good people are here

Dante: has anyone gone from Limbo to heaven?

Virgil describes the harrowing of hell, which he saw

the lightest place in hell: honorable souls

Dante: why are these set apart in the light?

Virgil: their fame on earth has this result in heaven

Dante hears a voice welcome Virgil on his return

the poets (Homer, Horace, Ovid, Lucan) approach

the “school” greets Dante and includes him among them

unreported discourse of the six poets

the “noble castle” and its inner meadow

Greeks, Romans, and Saladin: active life (14 named)

Greeks, Romans, Arabs: contemplative life (21 named)

the poet insists on his inability to give a full account

Virgil and Dante move on to less peaceful precincts