Which two characters had an affair that led to their deaths at the hands of a jealous husband?

The affair between Francesca de Rimini and Paolo is a significant element in Dante's "Inferno." Their tragic love story is highlighted in Canto V, where they are punished in the second circle of Hell for their sins of lust. Francesca and Paolo were in love, but their relationship ultimately led to their murder by Francesca's husband, Gianciotto Malatesta, who discovered the affair. This act of betrayal is central to their narrative, illustrating themes of love and betrayal that Dante explores throughout the poem.

Francesca and Paolo's relationship serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of passion and desire, making their story resonate deeply within the context of Dante's exploration of sin and its repercussions in the afterlife. The vivid depiction of their love and subsequent despair captures the complexity of human emotions and moral choices, further emphasizing the dramatic and moral framework of "Inferno."