Commentary Purg XI 30

Since the protagonist began looking at the penitents on this terrace ([Purg X 100]), the punishment for the sin of pride has been exclusively equated with the burdensome weight that each former sinner here must bear. Now a new valence for this sin is introduced: darkness. Purged of their pride, these souls will eventually be able to enjoy in full the meaning of the light (see 'le stellate ruote' [[Purg XI 36]]). Looking fixedly down is the related and necessary punishment of the prideful, who wanted to rise in others' eyes and now cannot raise their own.