Canto V

Canto V of Dante's "Divine Comedy" recounts the second circle of Hell, where the souls of the lustful are punished. These souls are blown about endlessly by fierce winds, symbolizing their uncontrolled passions in life. Dante and his guide, Virgil, encounter the poet Francesca da Rimini, who explains how she fell in love with her brother-in-law and was tragically swept here after her death. The canto explores themes of desire, consequence, and the tragic nature of giving in to impulsive passions, illustrating how unchecked lust leads to eternal punishment.