Dante’s Inferno chronicles the adventure of a student and his guide through the various circles of Hell. The poem begins as Dante is waking up from a dream amidst the woods. He wanders and encounters three animals – a leopard, a lion, and a she-wolf – that are blocking his path to the light. Virgil then appears and says there is another path that Dante can take to get to the light. It is a path through Hell and Purgatory and Virgil offers to lead Dante through it. Dante agrees and the two begin their journey. Virgil proceeds to take Dante through the multiple circles of Hell and acts as guide. Dante is taken into the circles and meets those who inhabit them.
Please see The Circles of Hell for more information on the levels of Hell.
Please see About Dante for more information on the author of Inferno.