How many circles of Hell does Dante explore in his journey?

Dante explores nine circles of Hell in his journey through the infernal landscape of the first part of his epic poem, "The Divine Comedy." Each of these circles represents a distinct category of sin and serves a specific role in illustrating Dante's moral and theological views.

The structure consists of a progressively deeper descent into Hell, where souls are punished according to the severity of their sins. Each circle is defined by the nature of the sin committed, such as limbo for the unbaptized, lust, gluttony, greed, wrath, heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The nine circles reflect Dante's views of justice and retribution, highlighting the belief that punishment should fit the crime in a moral sense. The culmination of this journey occurs in the final circle, where traitors are frozen in ice, symbolizing their betrayal and complete separation from love and warmth.

This intricate arrangement of circles not only serves to categorize sins but also provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of moral philosophy as viewed through Dante's Christian lens.