The vision of hell. By Dante Alighieri. Translated by Rev. Henry Francis Cary, M.A. and illustrated with the seventy-five designs of Gustave Doré.

"The Vision of Hell" by Dante Alighieri is an epic poem, specifically the first part of a larger work called "The Divine Comedy," written in the early 14th century. This allegorical masterpiece takes readers through a structured vision of the circles of Hell, guided by the Roman poet Virgil, as he leads Dante through the realms of the damned to help him understand sin, justice, and the consequences of earthly actions. The central character is Dante himself, who navigates through various levels of hell, encountering numerous souls as he seeks redemption and divine wisdom. At the start of the narrative, Dante finds himself lost in a dark wood, symbolizing confusion and sin. He encounters various beasts representing different vices that block his path to salvation. After expressing his despair, he is greeted by Virgil, who offers to guide him through Hell. The narrative sets the stage for an exploration of moral and philosophical themes as Dante learns about the nature of sin and its consequences, starting with the despairing souls that inhabit this gruesome realm. The opening chapters effectively immerse readers in the dark atmosphere of Hell, introducing them to the vivid imagery of the tormented souls Dante will meet on his journey. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Dante Alighieri, widely known mononymously as Dante, was an Italian poet, writer, and philosopher. His Divine Comedy, originally called Comedìa and later christened Divina by Giovanni Boccaccio, is widely considered one of the most important poems of the Middle Ages and the greatest literary work in the Italian language.