Paolo also cries while she tells the story, and this goes to show the powerful nature of love and uncontrollable emotions that were invoked by the story that they were reading. Dante uses some examples of imagery to capture the mood of the setting in which Francesca and Paolo fall in love, using the phrases "longed-for lips" and trembling lips to show the urge and irrepressible nature of love. Again, inclusion of these words are ways of writing a story that give stories such an emotional effect. Although it was wrong to do, Francesca and Paolo both commit adultery because of this sudden impulse that arose from the beauty of the writing which made them act sinfully and thereby end up in hell. Dante reveals the true power of a story in Francesca's case; because of one single story, Francesca is placed in eternal suffering. The feelings of love and fiery passion were induced as their "eyes were brought together by the book we read," almost as if enchanted by the words of the story. The reason why the story had such a strong influence to them is because it related to their current situation and it made them feel as though the story was about them. When the plot of the story came to the part of kissing and they read about how intimate the scene was, they "read no further,' implying that they committed adultery. Unlike many other sinners who deliberately choose their sins, Dante describes Francesca's sin as more of something she could not control and therefore Dante feels pity for her. Through the story of Lancelot, these two lovers find a connection and are eternally damned for their weakness of will, showing how powerful stories can be. .
Not only do Francesca and Paolo fall victim to the power of a story, but Dante himself also falls victim to the power of Francesca's story. A recurring theme that is prevalent in the Inferno is the role of Dante the Poet and Dante the Pilgrim.