By using this type of symbolism Dante illustrates his Christian beliefs.
In the beginning of the poem Dante is found walking through the forest the day before Good Friday. He is confronted by three beasts each with a different representation: a leopard which represents lust, a lion which represents pride, and a she-wolf which represents covetousness. The Latin poet Virgil, who was sent by Dante's lost love Beatrice, rescues Dante. In order to give Dante a better view of what will happen if he does not change his way of life, Virgil guides Dante down into Hell and proceeds to give him a tour. Hell, as well as Purgatory and Heaven, is divided into nine circles starting with the lesser sins and spirals down towards the worst sins (Witt, 325). The worst of all sins, the traitors to God and country, are overseen by Satan himself. Hell, as described by Dante, consists of dark and frightening abysses between gigantic rocks; steaming, stinking marshes, lakes, and streams; storms of hail, rain, snow, and fire; tortured souls, grimacing faces, and blood-curdling screams (Durant, 1069).
Dante's journey begins in Limbo, the first circle. Dante describes Limbo as a "dread abyss that joins a thunderous sound of plaints innumerable, thick with clouds o"erspread (Dante Canto IV)." Limbo holds those who died before Christ or were unbaptized, but generally good people. Those in Limbo proceed unhurt and unpunished, but are unable to behold God (Durant, 1070). After Limbo, the travelers proceed to the second circle. This circle contains the lustful. Also, Minos, the judge of hell, resides here. When sinners enter hell, Minos directs them to their proper place in the underworld. He does this by the number of times he wraps his tail around himself. Those condemned to the second circle, the lustful, are tossed about by ferocious winds (Durant, 1070). Along with those tossed about Dante comes upon two lovers that are stuck together forever in lovemaking without the joy of satisfaction as their punishment (Dante, Canto V).
