What literary form is Dante's Inferno written in?

Dante's Inferno is written in terza rima, which is a rhyme scheme consisting of three-line stanzas with the pattern ABA BCB CDC, and so forth. This form is characterized by its interlocking rhyme, which helps create a flow and continuity throughout the poem. Terza rima not only lends a musical quality to Dante's work but also reflects the themes of the poem, suggesting progression and movement through the layers of Hell.

Additionally, this structure supports the philosophical and theological underpinnings of the narrative, as it mirrors the idea of divine order and interconnectedness. The choice of terza rima was particularly innovative for its time and has influenced many poets after Dante. Other forms, like sonnets, free verse, or hexameter, do not align with the specific rhyme and rhythm patterns that define Inferno, making terza rima the clear choice for its literary form.