ThepoetDanteislostinadarkandgloomywood.Atthesummitofamountainheseesthelightofsalvation.Heendeavorstoascendtoit,buthiswayisbarredbythreewildbeasts,symbolizingAvarice,PrideandLust.BeatriceseeshispredicamentanddescendsfromParadiseintoLimbo,wheresheasksthepoetVirgiltorescueandguideDante.Virgilknowsanotherwaytogo,butthisleadsstraightthroughtheentireInferno,beforeitcontinuestowardsParadise.VirgilleadsDantetotheportalsofInferno.CharonferriesthemovertheriverAcheron,andthentheystarttheirjourneydownwardsthroughthedifferentcirclesofInferno.Dantemeetsallkindofsinnersandseesthenever-endingpunishmentstheyhavetoundergo.Thevariouspunishmentsareadjustedtothedifferenttransgressions.AmongthesinnersDanterecognizesmanypersonshehasmetinFlorence,whentheywerestillalive.Theytellhimtheirsadstoriesandwhytheyhaveendedhere.AtlastDanteandVirgil...