Commentary Inf VIII 40-45

After Virgil thrusts Filippo Argenti (C.Inf.VIII.61) back into the Styx, fending off his attempted wrathful assault, he congratulates Dante for his harsh words to this sinner (vv. 37-39). His words are reminiscent of those spoken of Christ in Luke 11:27: 'Beatus venter qui te portavit' (Blessed is the womb that bore you). Sinclair (Oxford, 1939, p. 119) cites a biblical text as being in concert with the spirit of the protagonist's righteous indignation here: 'Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate you.... I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them my enemies' (Psalm 139:21-22). While to most it seems that Virgil's approving words and Dante's righteous anger are entirely appropriate as the protagonist learns to harden himself against feeling either pity or fear when confronted by the damned, a minority has given voice to the doubt that we should read either Virgil as authoritative here or, indeed, Dante as being morally correct in his invective. See, among others, Montano (Mont.1962.1), pp. 418-421; Russell (Russ.1982.1); and Kleinhenz (Klei.1990.1), pp. 101-104. Such a view, if accepted, would make the reader's task a nearly impossible one. If we cannot trust the text when both protagonist and guide are in full accord, when can we ever trust it? That point may probably be made even more strongly once we hear three separate voices, each condemning Filippo (see C.Inf.VIII.52-60).