Charles
Great question!!!
Isn't the line 31 one of the keys. Dante recognizes his own hypocrisy and
must find a way to carry on regardless. He does so carefully.
Fucci, line 134, was a black guelph, who was party to the betrayal of the
white guelphs which resulted in Dante's exile. Dante is passing through
hell while Fucci is there forever.
Perhaps Counterpass simply is a quiet revenge; sort of a "one up manship".
Quiet because Dante, though revenged, recognizes his own weakness for the
same sin as Fucci.
Rick Seddon
McIntosh, NM