How is Dante both alive and dead as he stands in the lowest depths of hell?

In Dante's "Inferno," Dante the pilgrim experiences a journey through Hell while still being alive, representing his spiritual and moral exploration. He is "dead" in the sense that he traverses a realm of eternal punishment, witnessing the consequences of sin, which symbolizes a form of spiritual death. This duality reflects the idea that one can be alive in body yet dead in soul, as he confronts the darkness of human choices and the need for redemption. Ultimately, Dante's journey through Hell signifies a quest for understanding and enlightenment, which is vital for his spiritual resurrection.