In Dante’s The Divine Comedy, Dante demonstrates love as the primary force in the organization and structure of Hell and Purgatory. Throughout the different stages of Hell in the Inferno, many of the sinners committed an act of love that is considered disgraceful. In the Second Circle of Hell, for example, Francesca de Rimini falls in love with her brother-in-law Paolo. Francesca and Paolo’s forbidden love is considered a sin as they both now are to be tormented in the underworld for all eternity. A love for wealth, pride, and power can also result in many souls committing sins, such as in one of the terraces in the mountain of Purgatory or treachery in the Ninth Circle of Hell. In addition, if it wasn’t for Beatrice’s love for Dante, Dante wouldn’t have had the guidance and support Virgil offers him throughout his journey in Hell. Similarly, Dante’s love for Beatrice motivates him to eventually arrive at the Earthly Paradise to reunite with her.
