What leads to the condemnation of Francesca and Paolo in Dante's Inferno?

Francesca and Paolo are condemned in Dante's Inferno primarily due to their romantic affair. Within the narrative of the second circle of hell, they are portrayed as tragic figures who succumbed to the overwhelming power of lust. Their love is not just seen as a mere romantic entanglement; it is depicted as an act of passion that ultimately led to their moral downfall. They abandoned their rightful commitments (Francesca was married to Paolo's brother) and pursued their desires without regard for the consequences. This passionate affair was not merely a personal failing; it represents a greater sin of surrendering to temptation and allowing earthly pleasures to overshadow the moral order.

In the context of the other options, betrayal of a friend might seem relevant because of the dynamics involved in Francesca's marriage to Paolo's brother, but it is their illicit love that directly leads to their eternal punishment. Cowardice in battle doesn’t apply to their situation, nor does disobedience to the church directly motivate their condemnation, although part of their sin relates to the moral codes upheld by religious doctrine. The focus here is on the sin of lust, which ultimately seals their fate in the circles of hell as described by Dante.