Commentary Inf IX 58-63

Vv. 61-63 contain the second address to the reader in the poem (see note to [Inf VIII 94-96]). This one has caused more difficulty than any other, and 'solutions' are so abundant that it is fair to say that none has won general consent, from the first commentators' exertions until today. For a discussion see Iannucci [Iann.1987.1].) Opinions are divided, first of all, on whether the passage points back in the text, either primarily to Medusa (seen as despair, heresy, the hardened will, etc.) or to the Furies (seen as sin itself, or the three main categories of sin punished in hell [incontinence, violence, fraud], or remorse, etc.), or to a combination of these. Those who believe that the passage invites the reader rather to look forward than back are in accord that it refers to the avenging intruder who is about to appear in order to open the locked gates of Dis; but there is great debate over exactly what the one 'sent from heaven' ([Inf IX 85]) signifies (see discussion at C.Inf.IX.85). Surely it seems more natural for the reference to point backwards to something already said. And indeed something noteworthy and perhaps puzzling has just occurred: Virgil has covered Dante's eye-covering hands with his own hands as well. If this passage (vv. 58-60) is the one that contains a hidden doctrine (and few commentators believe it is, but see Hollander [Holl.1969.1], pp. 239-246), perhaps what it suggests is that stoic restraint is not enough to keep a sinner safe from dangerous temptation (i.e., Dante, had she appeared, would have looked upon Medusa and been turned to stone, just as Ulysses would have listened to the Sirens and been destroyed by them had he not been restrained by other forces).