Commentary Inf IV 13

That, even according to Virgil, who dwells in it, the world of Limbo is 'blind' might have helped hold in check some of the more enthusiastic readings of this canto as exemplary of Dante's 'humanistic' inclinations. For important discussions along these lines see Mazzoni, Introduzione (Mazz.1965.1), pp. 29-35; Padoan (Pado.1965.1). And see Virgil's own later 'gloss' to Limbo ([Purg VII 25-30]), where he describes his punishment for not believing in Christ-to-come as consisting in his being denied the sight of the Sun (God) that Sordello longs to (and will) see. Dante describes Limbo as being without other punishment than its darkness (and indeed here it is described as a 'blind world' [cieco mondo]), its inhabitants as sighing rather than crying out in pain ([Inf IV 26]). Had he wanted to make Limbo as positive a place as some of his commentators do, he surely would have avoided, in this verse, the reference to the descent that is necessary to reach it. Such was not the case for the neutrals in the previous circle, who apparently dwell at approximately the same level as the floor of the entrance through the gate of hell. This is the first downward movement within the Inferno.