Commentary Purg XXXI 124-126

Dante's sixth address to his readers in Purgatorio asks that we share his wonder (see C.Inf.VIII.94-96).  The griffin himself is constant in his appearance, while his reflection in Beatrice's eyes, revealing his truer aspect, reflects, in turn, his divine and human natures.  The word idolo, a hapax, derives, according to Bosco/Reggio (DDP Bosco.Purg.XXXI.126), from the discussion of the idols of the pagan gods found in Isidore of Seville (Etym. VIII.xi.13).