Who are the inhabitants of the fifth circle of Hell?

The inhabitants of the fifth circle of Hell, as described in Dante's Inferno, are specifically the wrathful and the sullen. This circle is situated in the swampy waters of the River Styx, where those who succumbed to anger and those who remained sullen and uncommunicative in life suffer for their failings.

The wrathful are depicted as being eternally engaged in violent confrontations, fighting and biting each other in the murky waters. In contrast, the sullen are submerged and trapped beneath the surface, unable to express themselves, which reflects their character of having suppressed their anger and negativity during their lives. This vivid imagery highlights the consequences of uncontrolled rage and the emotional suppression of one's feelings.

In this way, the selection of "the wrathful and the sullen" accurately captures the essence of Dante's portrayal of the fifth circle, illustrating how these sins manifest in the afterlife according to the poet's moral framework.