Commentary Purg XVI 133-140

The protagonist's ignorance of Gherardo's virtues offers Marco (and the poet) a chance to replay the theme of the moment, that things are not what they used to be. The early commentators are uncertain whether or not the mention of Gaia is meant to be to her praise or blame.  Jacopo della Lana (DDP Lana.Purg.XVI.140) and Benvenuto (DDP Benvenuto.Purg.XVI.139-140) say she was well known as a loose woman.  However, Benvenuto's self-proclaimed student, John of Serravalle, who generally supports his maestro's opinions, has only good to speak of her (and even claims that she wrote vernacular poetry -- [DDP Serravalle.Purg.XVI.139-141]).  Most modern commentators argue that, since the argument at hand is that the old times bore at least some notable virtue while the present day is leaden in that respect, it would only make sense for Gaia's name to represent a descent from virtue.  The meaning of the clause 's'io nol togliessi da sua figlia Gaia' (unless / I were to take one [a nickname] from his daughter, Gaia) is, however, problematic.  According to Torraca (DDP Torraca.Purg.XVI.139-149) his sobriquet would then be 'il gaio' (the merry) in recognition of his courtly actions and style of being; there is probably no better positive reading of the verse than this one.  If we wish to insist on the logically more promising negative force of this line, the same descriptive phrase (now only meaning 'the father of Gaia') would have the effect of showing how the virtues of the father were not found in the daughter.  While the logic of this entire sequence calls for such a reading, the feeling in the line would seem to support Torraca's currently unfavored reading.  As several commentators suggest, until such time as some clearer evidence for Dante's opinion of Gaia is unearthed, it is impossible to be sure of the tone of the reference, wholehearted or ironic.  The only two other uses of the word gaio in the poem are, however, totally positive: see [Par XV 60] and [Par XXVI 102].  Nonetheless, in verse 121 Dante has Marco refer to only three old men still alive in Lombardy who are good.  Since Gaia did not die until 1311, would she not have to be considered a fourth good Lombard (and thus not to be included)?  Or, as a woman, is she not allowed inclusion in the paltry list of the virtuous?