inferno

Inferno is the Italian word for hell and is used in English as a proper name for various works and places that evoke the fiery underworld. The term comes from Latin infernus, meaning 'lower' or 'beneath.'

The most famous literary usage is Dante Alighieri's Inferno, the first part of the Divine Comedy, composed around 1308–1320. In this epic journey, the narrator Dante travels with the ancient Roman poet Virgil as guide through nine circles of Hell, from Limbo to the ninth circle, with punishments that reflect contrapasso—the idea that the punishment mirrors the sin. The poem is written in terza rima and has had a profound influence on Western art, literature, and theology.

In modern culture, the title Inferno has been used for works that engage with Dante’s poem or evoke related imagery. Notably, Dan Brown's 2013 thriller Inferno draws on Dantean themes and locations, and a 2016 film adaptation directed by Ron Howard followed. Outside literature, Inferno has served as a title or motif in various films, video games, music, and other media, typically signaling danger, catastrophe, or a dramatic depiction of punishment or peril.

In broader usage, infernal elements appear in many religious and mythological traditions as depictions of an underworld or place of punishment after death. Modern works often blend historical or theological concepts with fictional narratives to explore ideas of sin, justice, and human consequence.

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