Brunetto

In Canto XV Dante does not express pity, but "admiration and affection" (210) for one of the damned. Brunetto is in Hell for acts of sodomy but the canto does not make reference to the sin directly. Musa's comments explain that the imagery in Brunetto's speech is "explicit" (210) but Dante does not show any sign of noticing the nature of Brunetto's inappropriate language. I found it odd that neither Virgil nor Dante pointed out Dante's admiration of Brunetto as improper behavior. Brunetto is a sinner and when Dante showed pity for sinners in higher levels of Hell he was reprimanded. But now when he praises Brunetto no mention is made of the impropriety of Dante's actions. Is personal relationship and emotional attachment capable of excusing Dante from reproach? Furthermore, Dante looked up to Brunetto as a mentor and a teacher. Why would he place Brunetto in Hell and reveal to the world that he was a sodomite?