Inferno

The Inferno, a poem (1307?-1320?) by Italian poet Dante Alighieri. The first part of the epic masterpiece The Divine Comedy, it describes the poet's journey through Hell with Virgil as his guide. Hell is depicted as funnel-shaped, with a different category of sinner on each of the circular steps, which decrease in size as they descend. The presence of certain historical figures among these sinners, and the punishments they receive, reflect Dante's personal opinions and judgments on past issues and events.