Commentary Inf II 85-93

Beatrice's insistence that she is not 'touchable' by the grim powers of the pains of hell underlines the marginality of sin for the saved. Hell is simply not of concern to them. It is important to know, as one begins reading the poem, what one can only know once one has finished it: no soul in purgation or in grace in heaven has a thought for the condition of the damned (only the damned themselves do). Their concern for those who do not share their redeeming penitence or bliss is reserved for those still alive on earth, who have at least the hope of salvation. Hell, for the saved, is a sordid reality of which it is better not to speak. A similar disregard for the damned (and even for our mortal hero, wrestling with his sins) is evidenced by the wryly laconic and unsympathetic angel who descends to help Virgil lead his charge into the City of Dis, [Inf IX 91-103] Those who admire various of Dante's sinners, despite their eternal damnation, would do well to keep both these scenes in mind. See the strong statements to this effect found in Grandgent's article 'Quid Ploras' (Gran.1926.1); Grandgent reminds his reader of the harsh question put by the angel to St. Paul, who has allowed himself to weep for the damned, in the apocryphal Visio Pauli. The angel wants to know why Paul is weeping ('Quid ploras?') for the damned when his attention should be turned to Christ.