Commentary Purg XXXII 98-99

Since the nymphs are seven and since the 'candles' leading the procession (last referred to at verse 18) are seven, and since Benvenuto (DDP Benvenuto.Purg.XXXII.97-99) lent the hypothesis his considerable authority, some commentators have believed that those candles are the lamps held by the seven virtues.  Both because the seven candles seem a part of the procession of the Church Triumphant and because they are extremely large, this hypothesis has not convinced every reader.  On the other hand, other suggestions are all minority opinions.  Francesco da Buti (DDP Buti.Purg.XXXII.94-108) believed they represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, but many find his argument overly subtle and unsupported by the text.  Torraca (DDP Torraca.Purg.XXXII.97-99) suggested the seven sacraments ordained by Christ.  Bosco/Reggio (DDP Bosco.Purg.XXXII.97-99), uncomfortable with all earlier identifications, thought the reference was to the lamps of the wise virgins in the parable (Matthew 25:1-13) of the ten wise and foolish virgins; but the wise ones number only five.  Pertile (Pert.1998.2), p. 198n., points (via Alain de Lille) to the 'seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God' (Revelation 4:5), thus giving support to Francesco da Buti's view, which does seem the most palatable.  For the biblical and post-biblical understanding of the winds from north (Aquilo) and south (Auster) as being the most destructive, see Pertile (Pert.1998.2), pp. 197-202.