Inferno is a 14th-century epic poem by Italian poet Dante Alighieri. It is the first part of his larger work, The Divine Comedy, and follows the narrator, Dante, as he journeys through Hell. Guided by the Roman poet Virgil, Dante encounters various sinners punished for their earthly transgressions and reflects on the nature of sin, temptation, and divine justice. Through vivid and often terrifying imagery, Dante presents a moral allegory that critiques contemporary society and serves as a warning of the consequences of a life lived without virtue. Inferno remains one of the most widely read and studied works of world literature, and its impact on Western culture is profound.