Commentary Purg XVII 19-39

Is the division of the sin of violence in Inferno remembered here, with each of the three exemplary figures guilty of one of the sins of violence portrayed in Inferno: against others (Procne), against oneself (Amata), and against God (Haman)?  For this possibility see C.Inf.VII.109-114 and C.Inf.XII.16-21 (last paragraph), as well as Hollander (Holl.1969.1), pp. 310-11.  Wrath is defined, later on in this canto (vv. 121-123), as involving the hardened will in a desire for revenge (vendetta).  It is clear that the sort of anger repented on this terrace is not the same sin that we encountered in Inferno VII-VIII, where we saw those who had been overcome by intemperate anger.  Here we observe the results of wrathful behavior formed with deliberation.

      It seems clear both that Dante has once again been favored by God-sent ecstatic visions and that Virgil now knows better than to attempt to inject himself into the proceedings: he is utterly silent throughout the scene, although we may imagine that Dante is once again manifesting 'drunken' behavior to anyone who observes him (see [Purg XV 121-123]).