What is the symbolism of the three beasts that block Dante's way at the beginning?

The three beasts that block Dante's way at the beginning of "Dante's Inferno" symbolize different types of sin, which is integral to understanding Dante’s journey through Hell. Each beast embodies a specific category of wrongdoing that Dante must confront.

The leopard represents lust, embodying the sin of incontinence; the lion signifies pride, a more violent and aggressive type of sin; and the she-wolf embodies greed and avarice, highlighting the corrupting influence of materialism. Together, these beasts create a formidable barrier that represents the overwhelming nature of human sin and the struggles Dante faces in his pursuit of redemption.

By confronting these symbols of sin, Dante sets the stage for the moral and spiritual challenges he will navigate throughout the narrative, showcasing his journey towards understanding and ultimately overcoming these base human impulses. This deepens the allegorical nature of the work, as each encounter with these beasts foreshadows the specific sins he will explore in the various circles of Hell.