Allegory In Dante's Inferno

Dante and Virgil reach the gates of Hell and read the printed inscription. When Dante is concerned, Virgil comforts him and tells him he must have courage. The two come to the first level of hell filled with people who only worked to benefit themselves and lacked conviction, including the angels who took no side in the battle between Lucifer and God. Here, the dead are seen naked, chasing after an ever-moving banner while being stung by hornet and treading on maggots. In this crowd Dante spots Popes Celestine V and Boniface VIII whom he disliked in real life. They continue on and meet Charon the ferryman who at first refuses to take Dante across the river but then reluctantly agrees. There are souls gathered along the banks wanting to cross