Which characters does Dante meet in the second circle of Hell?

In Dante's Inferno, the second circle of Hell is specifically designated for the lustful. These are individuals who were driven by their desires in life and succumbed to their passions, often at the expense of reason and moral order. In this circle, Dante encounters famous characters, including figures such as Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta, who share their tragic love story, ultimately illustrating the consequences of yielding to lust.

The other circles mentioned, like those containing gluttons, the virtuous pagans, and the wrathful, are distinct from the second circle. Each of these groups represents different sins and punishments, showcasing the structure of Dante's Hell, where sins are categorized and punished in a way that reflects their nature. Thus, the emphasis on the lustful in the second circle underscores the overarching theme of desire and its repercussions in Dante's moral universe.