“Secret Divine” - “Erythraea or Herophile, a Sibyl”
Boccaccio expounds, “Erythraea unveiled the secret of divine thought which had been foreshadowed among the ancients only in symbols and in obscure utterances of prophets, or rather by the Holy Spirit speaking through the prophets: the mystery of the Word incarnate; the life and work of the Son: his betrayal, capture. Mockery; and shameful death; the triumph of his Resurrection, the Ascension, and his return at the Last Judgement.” The secret relates to Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of Erythraea’s predictions that are chronicled in the Bible. Fulfillment of Erythraea's prediction confirms that her prophesying gift is mystical and divine.
Eve - “Eve, Our First Mother”
Boccaccio observes, “She was not made with that same hammer or anvil or even by the same smith, and she did not come to life like others, weak and tearfully bewailing her original sin. When the good Creator of all things had formed Adam from clay with His own hand (something which is known to have happened to no one else) and had taken him to the garden of delights from that field which was later called Damascene, He made him fall into peaceful slumber.” Boccaccio alludes to Genesis by expounding the course that God followed in composing Eve. Eve is special for she originated from a man only. Her formation transpired when the world was sinless and utopia-like.
‘Bronze Statue” - “Semiramis, Queen of Assyrians”
Boccaccio elucidates, “Her (Semiramis’) hair was only half combed when the news that Babylon had rebelled was brought her... She did not finish combing her hair until she had forced that mighty city to surrender, weakened by long siege, and brought it back into her power by force of arms. A huge bronze statue of a woman with her hair braided on one side and loose on the other stood in Babylon to bear witness to this brave deed for a long period of time.” The statue is a commemoration of Semiramis’ dedication to her kingdom. She would not continue with beautifying herself when her kingdom was under threat. For her, her kingdom’s security is more significant than her beauty which the hair typifies. Her bravery is commendable and inspiring for the subsequent leaders of the Assyrians. She does not let attractiveness to lure her from her core objective which is to secure her kingdom.
