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The first stanza of Dante's Inferno reads as follows (based on Longfellow's translation):

Midway upon the journey of our life

I found myself within a forest dark,

For the straightforward pathway had been lost.

Firstly, the "our" is significant because Dante is referring to himself in a plural sense, which can be taken as showing Dante the poet (author) and Dante the pilgrim (literary character) as being one or as Dante simply addressing the reader and including them in the journey to come.

The dark forest, "selva oscura", is symbolic of losing one's way. He has ventured into a dark and obscure place. This is strengthened by the loss of a "straightforward pathway". Dante is setting up the fact that he has wandered away from the light and the path of the norm, which is fitting when you consider that he is about to descend into hell.

Hope that was helpful.

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Q: Why is the first stanza in The Inferno significant?
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