Many of the shades in Limbo are not really sinners, but people who were born before Christianity. This circle is occupied by the virtuous pagans, those who lived before Christ was born, and by the unbaptized. Dante and Virgil leave this quiet place and come to one where there is no light.īetween Hell proper, the place of punishment, and the vestibule, Dante places the circle of Limbo, devoted to those people who had no opportunity to choose either good or evil in terms of having faith in Christ. Prominent among the philosophers are Socrates, Plato, Cicero, Seneca, and "the master of those who know" (Aristotle). Dante recognizes the figures of authority dwelling there, and as the poets stand on a small hill, Dante gives the names of rulers, philosophers, and others who are there and regrets that he does not have time to name them all. The entire group moves ahead, talking about subjects that Dante does not disclose, and they come to a castle with seven walls surrounded by a small stream.ĭante and Virgil then pass over the stream, go through the seven gates, and reach a green meadow. After a time, the group salutes Dante, saying they regard him as one of their number. Virgil tells Dante their names and then turns away to talk with them. He asks Virgil why these souls are honored by separation from the other spirits, and Virgil replies that their fame on Earth gained them this place.Ī voice hails Virgil's return, and the shades of Homer, Horace, Ovid, and Lucan approach the two poets. Dante sees a fire ahead and realizes that figures of honor rest near it. The two poets have been walking during this conversation, and they pass by the wood of Limbo. Dante asks if any soul was ever redeemed from Limbo, and Virgil tells him that the "Mighty One" came once and took a number of souls to Heaven. Virgil explains that these shades (souls) are only here because they were born without the benefit of Christianity, either due to being born before Christ, or because the soul was an unbaptized child. The poets enter the first circle of Hell - Limbo - the place where virtuous pagans reside. Virgil explains that his pallor is due to pity, not fear.
He finds himself across the Acheron and on the brink of a deep abyss from which he hears the "thunder of Hell's eternal cry." Virgil asks Dante to follow him, but Dante is wary because Virgil is deathly pale. He has been in a deep sleep for some time, so his eyes are rested.
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