Student Question
The main setting of Dante's Inferno, as the title suggests, is hell ("inferno" is an Italian word that literally translates to "hell"). There are a few notable places within hell, or near to it, that Dante describes in the poem. In canto 1, Dante is presented as a lost soul wandering through a dark forest, which is probably located somewhere in or near Florence. This is where Dante meets the Roman poet Virgil, whom he greatly admires; Virgil basically becomes Dante's guide and together they start their epic journey through the nine concentric circles of hell, located within the Earth.
First, they arrive to the gateofhell, above which there's an inscription that says, "Abandon hope all ye who enter here." The entrance leads to the vestibuleofhell , which is where all of the uncommitted and indecisive souls reside, or those who were...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
neither good nor bad and cared only about themselves. The vestibule of hell and the nine circles of hell are separated by theriverAcheron. This is where Dante and Virgil meet with Charon, who's given the task to transfer all souls to hell, except the aforementioned neutral and indecisive ones, which reside on the shores of Acheron. Once they pass the river, Dante and Virgil arrive to the First Circle of hell known as Limbo. The First, Second, Third and Fourth circles are known as UpperHell.
The Fifth Circle of hell is encompassed by the riverStyx, where Dante and Virgil meet with Phlegyas, who transports them to the city of Dis. The city of Dis is basically the entrance to Lower or NetherHell, which consists of The Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth circles of hell.
The Seventh Circle is separated into three rings; the First ring is located on the fiery riverPhlegethon, where all of those who killed or harmed others swim; the Second Ring is in the WoodofSuicides, which is where those who took their own lives reside; and the Third Ring is known as the Abominable Sand, which is reserved for the "blasphemers, sodomites and usurers." Before the Eighth Circle there is also a great cliff and a waterfall, that separate the last two circles from the previous ones.
Finally, the Ninth Circle is located on the frozen riverCocytus. Cocytus consists of four regions: Caïna (named after Cain and reserved for those who betrayed their family), Antenora (named after Antenor and reserved for those who betrayed their country), Ptolomaea (named after Ptolemy and reserved for those who betrayed their friends and their guests), and Judeca (named after Judas and reserved for those who betrayed their lords and benefactors). In the center of hell is Satan himself.
When Dante and Virgil escape from hell, they arrive in the SouthernHemisphere, which is where the mountainofPurgatory (the only land on the waters) and the riverLethe are located.