The outer circle contains countries where English is used as an official language or a second language, typically countries that were colonized by the inner circle.
He guides the main character through Hell and Purgatory, pointing out dangers, giving advice, rebuking on occasion and finally withdrawing when his charge is ready to ascend to the innermost circles of the immortal world.
Clergymen, judges, statesmen, —the wisest, calmest, holiest persons of their day stood in the inner circle round about the gallows, loudest to applaud the work of blood, latest to confess themselves miserably deceived.