In the fourth chant of Dante's Inferno, we find the following situation: Vigilio and the poet enter the first of the circles of hell, after crossing the Acheron.
In this circle are those who have not been baptized, among them, Jews forgiven by Christ, unborn babies, the great classical poets. It has been said that it represents the hell of science, those who have not committed more than original sin and could not settle it with baptism.
The first theological problem that explains is the paradox of not being able to absolve from sin those who were not born, or those who belonged to other religions. Dante disguises this paradox with irony, presenting a space of devastating, silent calm. In the limbo, the crying is no longer heard.
The second theological problem he illustrates is that which leaves the great and honorable classical poets who were not baptized in the Christian faith unprotected. Can the Great Virgil be considered a sinner? Dante addresses this problem by granting a special, separate space for the ancient authors, among whom are Homer, Horace, Ovid, and Lucan.
