Giving to a thing, an animal or an abstract idea actions, feelings or speech proper to a person.
In Purgatory
horrible were my sins; but infinite goodness has arms so great that it takes in everything that turns to it.
Infinite goodness takes on "arms so great" and "takes in" what turns to it. By giving body and gesture to an abstract idea, the verse makes mercy an embrace, and the reader understands forgiveness as physical welcome.
the present things, with their false pleasure, turned my steps, as soon as your face was hidden.
Cantos XXX to XXXIII: Beatrice, Dante, to Beatrice, in the confession
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