Commentary Inf IV 44

In at least one respect Inferno I and II are cantos paired in opposition, the first rooted in Dante's fear (paura), the second in the reassurance granted by the word (parola), as spoken by Virgil and Beatrice (and each of these key terms is used five times in its canto -- see Hollander [Holl.1990.2]). The same may be said for cantos III and IV. Mazzoni, following the lead of Forti (Fort.1961.1), identifies the central subject of the first of this pair as 'pusillanimità' (cowardice), of the second as 'magnanimità' (greatness of soul -- Mazz.1965.1, pp. 34-35). See C.Inf.III.58-60.