Commentary Purg XX 145-151

Dante for the first time underlines his unusual (even for him) curiosity to know the meaning of the things he has just felt and heard.  Tommaseo (DDP Tommaseo.Purg.XX.145-147) noted the echo here of Wisdom 14:22, 'in magno viventes inscientiae bello' (they live in a great war of ignorance).

      The need to press on leaves Dante suspended -- and the reader, as well.