. . . Forthwith
I understood, for certain, this the tribe
Of those ill spirits both to God displeasing
And to His foes. These wretches, who ne'er lived,
Went on in nakedness, and sorely stung
By wasps and hornets, which bedew'd their cheeks
With blood, that, mix'd with tears, dropp'd to their feet,
And by disgustful worms was gather'd there.
. . .

In Dante Alighieri's epic, "The Divine Comedy," this haunting image captures the plight of souls in the circle of the Futile. These individuals, having lived lives devoid of meaningful action, find themselves condemned to an existence of perpetual irritation and pain. The wasps and hornets symbolize the external torment that afflicts them, as their blood and tears become a feast for worms—a metaphor for wasted potential and unfulfilled lives. This scene underscores Dante's moral vision, where neutrality and indecision are considered grave failings. By portraying these "wretches," who never truly lived, Dante emphasizes the importance of committing to virtuous actions and moral convictions, rather than living solely for oneself. The presence of Celestine V among them highlights the poet's disdain for abdication of responsibility, especially in positions of power.