The Aeneid Book IV
The Passion of the Queen
By
Virgil
Geschke/English IV
The Aeneid Book IV
Characteristics of a Roman
•
Characteristics are personified by
Aeneas
– Builder
• Natural instinct to build up Carthage
– Physical Beauty
• Describe as god-like
Geschke/English IV
The Aeneid Book IV
Characteristics of a Roman
•
Characteristics are personified by
Aeneas
– Needs of the country come before his
personal desires
• Most important characteristic of a Roman
• Aeneas loves Dido
• Aeneas does not want to leave Dido
• Sacrifices his love for the betterment of
Rome
Geschke/English IV
The Aeneid Book IV
What is not a Roman
•
Characteristics are personified by Dido
– Personal desires come before the needs of
the country
• Abandons the city
• Towers are half-built
Geschke/English IV
The Aeneid Book IV
What is not a Roman
•
Characteristics are personified by Dido
– Army is no longer trained
– Defenses are not strengthened
Geschke/English IV
The Aeneid Book IV
What is not a Roman
•
Characteristics are personified by Dido
–
Curses all future relations between Rome
and Carthage
• most significant act of selfishness
• Virgil suggests this curse brings about the
Punic Wars
• Three wars between Rome and Carthage
(fact)
Geschke/English IV
The Aeneid Book IV
What is not a Roman
•
Characteristics are personified by Dido
–
Curses all future relations between Rome
and Carthage
• The third war resulted in the destruction
of Carthage (fact)
• Virgil suggests Dido’s curse eventually
brought about the destruction of Carthage
(fiction)
Geschke/English IV
The Aeneid Book IV