In Dante's Inferno what does the dark wood of error represent?

Answer 1

It is perhaps an indication of the protagonist's own disorientation as The dark forest--selva oscura in which Dante finds himself at the beginning of the poem is described in vague terms. Characteristic of Dante's way of working, this "dark wood" is a product of the poet's imagination likely based on ideas from various traditions.

Answer 2

The dark wood of error in Dante's "Inferno" symbolizes a realm of confusion and sin, where people have lost their way and strayed from the path of righteousness. It represents the state of spiritual disorientation and moral ambiguity that leads individuals astray from the right course of action.