Commentary Purg V 10-18

The astonished souls who whisper to one another about Dante's extraordinary status are perhaps reminiscent of earthly neighbors whose secret gossip is generally motivated by less kind concerns.

      Discussing this passage, Frankel (Fran.1989.1), pp. 127-30, points out that Virgil's urgency in trying to get Dante to resume his forward movement is not found in Virgil himself when he encounters Sordello in Purgatorio VII and much enjoys his fellow Mantuan's interest and praise.  And, while there have been other commentators who find Virgil's scolding excessive, the fact remains that the protagonist takes it most seriously (see [Purg V 19-21]).  Further, all that Virgil rebukes in Dante is his allowing his attention to wander, distracted by his admirers, from the prime purpose of the journey, i.e., he is acting to some degree like these negligent souls who were active Christians only near the end of their lives.