VIRGIL
THE AENEID
Aeneas meets Dido
Student Resource Book
Student’s name……………………………………………
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THE BLOOD LINE OF AENEAS
Atlas had a daughter named Electra who had an affair with Jupiter.
↓
This love produced two sons. One son named Dardanus, travelled from Italy, and founded the city
of Dardania in Asia Minor.
↓
Once there, he married the daughter of a near by king, Teucer, and had a child, Erichthonius.
Erichthonius in turn had a child, Tros (Troy), who had three sons of his own, Ganymede,
Assaracus, and Ilus (Ilium).
↓
Assaracus had a child, Capys, who in turn had a child named Anchises.
Ilus meanwhile had a child named Laomedon, who in turn had a child of his own named Priam.
Thus Anchises and Priam were second cousins, and so their children were third cousins.
↓
These two third cousins, Aeneas and Hector, played significant roles in the Iliad. Hector faced
Achilles out side the walls of Troy (Ilium) and died in his effort.
↓
Aeneas also faced Achilles, but he survived and went on to found Rome.
HOW TO APPROACH QUESTIONS RELATING TO
LITERARY TECHNIQUES:
For example:
Book I Page 36
1. “Then shall our furious centuries lay down their warring arms, and shall grow kind”.
Personification:
“Then shall our furious centuries lay down their warring arms, and shall grow kind”. The centuries
are personified and portrayed as aggressive eg “furious”. Also portrayed as warriors eg the
reference to “warring arms” that will change their ways and become peaceful eg “shall grow kind”.
2. “And safe within them will stay the godless and ghastly Lust of Blood”
Personification:
“Lust of Blood” is personified. Virgil refers to him as “godless” and “ghastly”. Also determined
to continue fighting eg “still roaring from gory mouth” but prevented from doing so because he is
chained up eg “but held fast by a hundred chains of bronze”.
3. “Godless and ghastly Lust of Blood”.
Alliteration:
Repetition / recurrence of the sound made by the letter g - used here for effect to emphasise that the
personified Lust of Blood is irreverent eg “godless” and dreadful eg “ghastly”.
4. “Propped up on his pitiless piled armoury”.
Alliteration:
Repetition / recurrence of the sound made by the letter p - draws attention to the personified Lust of
Blood and suggests that he gets his strength from weapons eg “propped up on his piled armoury”
and that he destroys carelessly eg “pitiless”.
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THE AENEID - SUMMARY OF EACH BOOK
Book I
The Trojans Land near Carthage
Virgil opens with an appeal to the muse of poetry. Aeneas is a Trojan leader, son of Venus and the mortal Anchises. He
suffers as did the other Trojans from the wrath of Juno, after the judgment of Paris favoured Venus. The book begins
with the Trojan fleet sailing from Sicily and now near Carthage, 7 years after the fall of Troy. Juno bribes Aeolus to
unleash storm winds on them, and they founder near Carthage. Venus appeals to Jupiter for their salvation and he
reassures her of their glorious future and a golden age to come (the first of many prophecies and futurity scenes). Venus
appears to Aeneas disguised as a Carthaginian huntress, tells him of Queen Dido and the settlers from Tyre who have
formed the colony at Carthage, surrounded by potentially hostile peoples. A scouting party led by the visible Ilioneus
observes the temple under construction (Aeneas is hidden by a shield of invisibility provided by Venus). Dido reassures
and hospitably welcomes them and Aeneas eventually appears. Venus arranges for her son Cupid, in the form of
Aeneas' son Ascanius, to cause Aeneas and Dido to fall in love, to ensure his safety. Dido puts on a feast and her
passion rises.
Book II
Recounting the Fall of Troy
At Dido's request, A. recounts the fall of Troy. The Trojan Horse. A "captured" Greek Sinon deludes them about the
reason why the horse was constructed to appease Minerva [Athena] after their attack on her temple. Laocoön, a priest
who spears the horse, is attacked by two serpents, along with his sons. The Trojans break down their wall to get the
horse inside. At night, the Greeks sail back to the shore and Sinon releases the men in the horse. A vision of Hector
appears to A. telling him to flee the ensuing destruction and found a new city. The palace is attacked, Priam slain by
Pyrrhus (Achilles' son). A. considers killing Helen but Venus deters him. A divine portent appears over the head of
Iulus (Ascanius), Aeneas' son. Anchises refuses to flee at first but is persuaded, and A. carries him on his shoulders. His
wife Creusus becomes separated and dies--her spirit comes to him and prophesies his great future.
Book III
The Wanderings of Aeneas
After sailing from Troy, they sailed north to Thrace and founded Aeneadae. But the ghost of Polydorus warns them to
leave. After consulting with the Delian oracle, Anchises misinterprets the advice to seek the land that first bore the
Trojan race. They sail to Crete, again try to found a settlement, but a pestilence ensues. A. dreams that Hesperia (the
land of the west, or Italy) is their ultimate goal, and they sail west. They encounter the Harpies led by Celeano at the
Strophades, west of Greece. After they kill her cattle, they attack the Trojans. Celeano prophesies his future. They sail
on to Leucas in W. Greece and stay a year. At Buthrotum in Chaonia (now part of Epirus), they are welcomed by the
former Trojan Helenus, who was enslaved by the Greeks but has been freed and made a king, married to Andromache.
Helenus prophesies the Italian future and the route to take, including going to the Sibyl at Cumae. A. departs and sails
across the Ionian sea to the boot of Italy and on to Sicily. They encounter the stranded Greek, Achaimenides, who tells
them his story about the Cyclops. They all have to flee Polyphemus when he appears, and end up at Drepanum on the
west coast of Sicily where Anchises dies.
Book IV
Dido and Aeneas
Though bound by a vow to her husband Sychaeus (killed by his brother Pygmalion), Dido has a rising passion for
Aeneas, which her sister Anna encourages. Juno gets Venus to agree to the union, and arranges a hunt and a storm to
bring them together in a cave. After their tryst, rumours fly through Carthage. Her former suitor, King Iarbus is jealous.
Jupiter sends Mercury to chastise Aeneas and to remind him of his destiny, which does not lie with Dido. Dido rebukes
A., but A. explains to her his duty without emotion, as prompted by Jupiter, and denies that they were in fact married.
Dido is angered at him and swears vengeance. She tries to get Anna to delay their departure, then received bad omens
and realizes she is doomed. Mercury warns A. to flee and they hastily depart in their ships. Dido orders an attack on
them and curses them, pledging eternal war with the Carthaginians. She ascends to the pyre and kills herself with a
sword.
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Book V
The Funeral Games for Anchises
As they sail back to Eryx in Sicily, they see the flames in the distance. King Acestes receives them hospitably. He and
Aeneas decide to hold funeral games, in the manner of book XXIII of the Iliad, to honour Anchises who died one year
ago. They have a race of ships (won by Cloanthus), foot races (Euryalus), boxing (won by Entellus), archery, and
equestrian manoeuvres. Iris, disguised as the old Trojan woman Beroe, is sent by Juno to stir up trouble--she incites the
women to set many of the ships on fire. Jupiter douses the fires. Nautes advises them to divide the group up, leaving the
old and weary to found the settlement of Acesta near Eryx there on Sicily. The image of Anchises appears to A., asking
to come to him in the underworld. Venus appeals to Neptune and is reassured that only one man will die as they sail to
Italy. The helmsman Palinurus is put to sleep by the god of sleep and falls in to the water--an example of "double
determination" where a person's actions are influenced by the gods as well as his own will.
Book VI
The Lower World
The ships land at Cumae on the west coast of Italy. A. seeks the Cumaean Sibyl (prophetess) at Apollo's temple, which
was founded by Daedalus. The sibyl prophesies war and the trials ahead. A. asks her help in visiting his father. She him
to bring a golden bough for Proserpina in order to gain admittance. He learns also that one of his men newly deceased,
Misenus, must be buried. They proceed with the cremation. A. prepares to enter the cavern, by the lake Avernus,
leading to the underworld. Hecate nears, but Sibyl warns her away. They pass many personified evils and monsters:
Briareus, Chimaera, Scyllas, etc. He encounters Palinurus, who cannot yet cross the Styx into the underworld because
his body was not buried. Charon is appeased by the golden bough and they sedate Cerberus. They pass the infants, the
Fields of Mourning. He encounters Dido, and offers her more excuses--she turns away from him to her husband
Sychaeus. They also encounter Trojans and also Greeks, including Deiophobus, the 3rd husband of Helen. We learn
how Helen betrayed Troy. Tartarus, on the road to the left, is described, a place of suffering and punishment for those
found guilty by the judge Rhadamanthus for a variety of enumerated punishable sins. Instead, they turn right. A. places
the bough at the threshold of Proserpine, and finally enters Elysium. There, he encounters Anchises. There are spirits
there awaiting reincarnation after drinking of Lethe to induce forgetfulness. Anchises predicts the future: the Alban
kings, other kings, Romulus, Iulus, Numa, etc. Anchises says that Rome's fame will be for its leadership and
contribution to government rather than for its artistic contributions. He ends with a panegyric to Augustus' deceased
son, Marcellus. Aeneas re-emerges to the world of the living.
Book VII
Italy and the Outbreak of War
Aeneas and his men sail pass Circe's island and land near the Tiber's mouth in Latium. The Laurentians (or Latians,
Latins) are ruled by King Latinus. The spirit of Faunus tells Latinus that his daughter Lavinia should marry a foreigner.
More omens. The Trojans come to see the king, who treats them generously and offers A. his daughter in marriage.
Juno is angered by this tranquil scene and sends the Fury Allecto to stir up discord and war. In a remarkably poetic
description, she infects Queen Amata with resentment at her husband’s decision. Amata hides Lavinia and goes into a
frenzied rage. Allecto also stirs up the Rutulians, in particular Turnus their king, who has been the chief suitor of
Lavinia. Turnus seems to plan to march on both the Trojans and the Laurentines. Allecto also causes Iulus (Ascanius),
A.'s son, to wound a deer or stag kept as a royal pet by Tyrrhus--this is the precipitating event and war breaks out.
Allecto gloats and Latinus is powerless to stop the preparations. The people arm for war and the gates of war are thrown
open by Juno after Latinus refuses.
Book VIII
Aeneas at the Site of Rome
Confusion reigns. Tiber the river-god appears to A. in a dream and encourages Aeneas. A. prays to Tiber, who assists
his ships upstream, and advises him to ally with Evander, son of Mercury. He is the leader of Arcadians living on the
site of current Rome. He sees the white sow that had been prophesied, and encounters Evander's beloved son Pallas.
Evander agrees to ally. They tour the landmarks of the future Rome. Venus appeals to her husband Vulcan to make
armour for Aeneas. Venus delivers the armour to A. and tells him to not fear war. His shield is decorated with
depictions of future Roman triumphs. Evander nobly and unselfishly turns his beloved son Pallas over to Aeneas to
become a warrior, along with many of his warriors and horsemen. Evander recalls his heroic past, then prays for his
son.
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Book IX
Attack on the Trojan Camp in the Absence of Aeneas
With Aeneas still away with Evander, Juno sends Iris to mobilize his enemy, Turnus to action. The enemy marches on
the Trojan camp, which is alongside the river. The Trojans stay behind their walls as Aeneas had instructed them. After
they do not respond to Turnus' challenge, he tries to set their ships afire. Jupiter intervenes and the ships are turned into
sea nymphs, leaving the Trojans no alternative but to stay on the land and fight. Turnus goads on the Rutulians, and the
fort is surrounded (except the side open to the river). Nisus and Euryalus, close friends, heroically resolve to try to get
word to Aeneas at Pallanteum of the siege. Their companions know how risky this is and praise their bravery. They set
out at night and begin killing many of the Rutulians lying in their way. The Rutulians charge the fort and major fighting
breaks out. Iulus takes up his bow and kills young Remulus/Numanus with an arrow, his first taste of combat. Apollo
blesses Iulus, and asks him to desist from further killing for the time being. The Rutulians rush in and kill many
Trojans.
Book X
Aeneas at War
With the Trojan camp under siege, the gods debate the conflict. Venus appeals to Jupiter to at least spare Iulus, to which
Juno angrily counters. Jupiter responds that he will be neutral and that the fates will determine the outcome. Aeneas
sails back The sea-nymphs (recently transformed from their ships) alert Aeneas to the siege and help them to be quickly
transported to the site, dumbfounding Turnus and his men. A. invokes Cybele to bless their undertaking. They land and
are immediately attacked by the Rutulians. A. goes on a rampage of killing and shows no mercy. Juno appeals to Jupiter
to intervene and spare Turnus. She then disguises herself as Aeneas and lures Turnus aboard a ship in pursuit of him-the ship promptly sails away, temporarily saving Turnus.
Book XI
The Despair of the Latins
The battle pauses for funeral rites for the numerous victims. A. mourns the death of his friend Pallas. The Latins petition
for a peace to bury the dead. A. wonders how destiny has brought about this unexpected war. More fighting follows.
Book XII
The Final Combat
Turnus meets with Latinus, and indicates he expects Lavinia's hand if he wins. Latinus advises him his request cannot
be granted because she is destined to marry a foreigner, and asks him to relent and break off the combat, sparing them
all further needless deaths. But Queen Amata is adamant that she will not accept Aeneas as her son-in-law. Turnus
issues a challenge to Aeneas for single combat, the victor to receive Lavinia's hand. At dawn, the Latins and Trojans
gather on the plain outside the city [?Laurentum]. Juno plots with Turnus' sister Juturna, now a sea-nymph, to save him.
Aeneas prays and makes a pledge that his victory will lead to peaceful coexistence and equality and that if he is
defeated, the Trojan's will depart. Aeneas tries to stop the fighting, is wounded by an arrow, and is hastily taken away.
Iapyx, a healer favoured by Apollo, tries to heal A. and is surprised to find himself successful, thanks to herbs Venus
adds unseen to the balm. A. speaks with Iulus, then rushes into battle. Queen Amata has lost her mind and hangs
herself. Turnus confronts his disguised sister and spurns her aid, preferring a heroic death. He jumps from his chariot
and calls to his men to allow him to seek single combat with Aeneas, which Aeneas accepts--the two armies draw back.
The combatants are both larger than life. They fight, Turnus' sword breaks against Aeneas' armour, Juturna provides a
replacement. Juno and Jupiter conference--he asks that she cease her meddling with the destined outcome, and at last
she relents. She asks only that "Troy" be forgotten, the Latin customs remain, and that the language of the conquered
and commingled peoples shall remain Latin. Turnus tries to throw a large boulder at A. but his strength is flagging, he
has no escape, and A. finally spears him in his thigh. Turnus concedes defeat and asks that his body be given a proper
burial, even that his life be spared. But Aeneas sees Pallas' sword belt around Turnus and in a final rage exacts his
vengeance, slaying Turnus with his sword.
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WORK SHEETS ON BOOK ONE
THE CHARACTER OF AENEAS IN BOOK I
Provide one or more examples for each characteristic.
Give a page reference for each example.
AENEAS’ CHARACTER
EVIDENCE FROM BOOK I
He displays Homeric characteristics
when he wishes he had died a glorious
death.
He displays human emotions.
He displays excellent leadership
qualities / he is a man of pietas:
a) Puts personal feelings aside for the
good of his people (ideal Roman leader) /
self-sacrificing:
b) Provides for his people:
c) Encourages / inspires his people:
d) Cares for their safety:
He is charming
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THE CHARACTER OF DIDO IN BOOK I
1. Describe the physical appearance of Dido.
2. How is Dido portrayed in Book I?
DIDO’S CHARACTER
BEFORE SHE FALLS IN LOVE
WITH AENEAS
EVIDENCE
(Page?)
She is happy
She is authoritative
She is wise / sensible
She is fair
She is kind / generous
3.
Quote words, which show that she is infatuated with Aeneas. Source each quote.
a)
b)
4. Provide evidence to show that Virgil disapproves of her love for Aeneas. Source?
a)
b)
c)
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THE GODS IN BOOK I / JUNO
1. Why was Juno so hostile to Aeneas/the Trojans?



2. Provide evidence of Juno’s hostility. Give a quote (page?).
3. What is Juno’s role in the Aeneid? Evidence?
THE CHARACTER OF JUNO
CHARACTERISTIC
In a state of furor /
bad tempered/angry
EVIDENCE
Competitive
Nasty
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VENUS
1. How is Venus related to Jupiter? Provide evidence to show that she uses this
relationship to her advantage.


2. How is Venus related to Aeneas? Provide evidence to show how she helps Aeneas.




3. What is Venus’ role in the Aeneid? Evidence?


4. In what ways are Venus and Juno similar?


5. In what ways are Venus and Juno different?


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POLITICAL MESSAGES IN THE PROPHECY
POLITICAL MESSAGES
EVIDENCE (Page)
Romans are descended from Troy
The gods endorse the power of Rome /
Rome’s destiny
Rome is destined to be the greatest empire
Rome will avenge the fall of Troy by
conquering the Greek states
Messages about Augustus:
a) He is descended from Aeneas
b) He will extend the empire to the ends of the
earth
c) He will be deified
d) He will bring peace to Rome
e) he will bring prosperity to Rome
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IMAGERY IN BOOK I
Virgil frequently uses imagery (the use of symbols to describe actual events) in The Aeneid.
For each of the examples of imagery listed below, explain what event the image represents.
Image
Pg No
1. A man calming
a riotous crowd.
31-32
2. Swans pursued by an eagle.
39
3. Bees hard at work
40
4.The shooting of
stags.
5. “Invisible
Fire”
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Explain the Meaning
43
47-49
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EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS book one
EXTRACT ONE
“In a moment the clouds had wrested from Trojan eyes the sky and the light of day: a blackness as
of night fell on the ocean. The thunder cracked in heaven’s height, and in the air above a
continuous lightning flared; wherever the Trojans looked, immediate death stared them in the eyes.
Instantly Aeneas felt his limbs give way in a chill of terror, and groaned. Stretching both hands
palm upward, to the stars, he cried aloud: “how fortunate were you, thrice fortunate and more,
whose luck it was to die under the high walls of Troy before your parents’ eyes! Ah, Diomede,
most valiant of Greeks, why did your arm not strike me down and give my spirit freedom in death
on the battlefields of Ilium, where lie the mighty Sarpedon, and Hektor the man slayer, pierced by
Achilles lance and where Simois rolls down submerged beneath his stream those countless shields
and helms and all those valiant dead!”
(Aeneid, Book I)
In the above extract Aeneas and his Trojan companions are caught in a storm at sea.
Analyse in detail and with supporting evidence:
 The reasons why Juno causes the storm and the outcome of this storm for Aeneas and his
men.
 The characterisation of Aeneas as he is portrayed in this extract and other parts of Book
One.
Pentheseilea Pyxis showing the judgement of Paris
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WORK SHEETS ON BOOK two
THE CHARACTER OF AENEAS IN BOOK II
AENEAS’ CHARACTER
EVIDENCE FROM BOOK II
He displays Homeric characteristics.
For example:
 “death in battle is glorious”

revengeful

courageous
He is blinded by his fury / he displays
blind anger (give at least 2 examples)
Puts personal feelings aside / behaves
with pietas.
a) Give TWO examples from Book II, which show that Aeneas is backward looking.
1.
2.
b) Provide TWO examples from Book II, which show that Aeneas has no real understanding
of his destiny / mission.
1.
2.
c) Give TWO examples when Aeneas displays qualities indicative of the ideal Roman hero?
1.
2.
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AENEAS’ DESTINY
Aeneas receives two explicit messages about his future, from Hector and Creusa.
Complete the chart below and provide evidence/quotes where possible:
MESSAGE ABOUT THE
FUTURE
INFORMATION GIVEN/ EVIDENCE
Hector tells Aeneas to…..
Hector predicts something about
Rome…
Creusa makes a promise to
Aeneas….
Creusa predicts something about
Rome…
Aeneas does not obey Hector at
once because…..
WHY DOES AENEAS FINALLY LEAVE TROY?
Aeneas sees the situation as hopeless after the death of Priam. However he is not easily
convinced that he should leave Troy and makes some unforgivable mistakes before he goes:
1. What horrible act does Venus prevent Aeneas from doing and why?
2. What finally forces Aeneas to leave?
3. Aeneas is so concerned about his own father, Anchises, he does no think how callous he
was when he told Creusa of the death of her own father. Why do you think Virgil ignores
the fact that Priam is Creusa’s father?
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4. Why does Creusa have to die?
5. What do the deaths of Creusa and many other people represent to Virgil?
THE TROJANS AND THE HORSE
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TROY’S DOWNFALL?
Complete the chart below: Provide quotes where possible to back up your answer.
SINON’S STORY AND
THE TROJAN HORSE
ANSWERS/ EVIDENCE
How does Sinon explain his
presence here in Troy?
According to Sinon, who came
up with the idea of erecting a
wooden horse?
What explanation does Sinon
give for erecting the horse?
What does Sinon say to convince
the Trojans to take the horse
inside the city walls?
Whose advice was ignored as the
horse was dragged into the city?
Why did he speak against it?
How strongly does he feel about
it and why?
How are the Gods / the Trojan’s
responsible for the fall of Troy?
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THE INCIDENT WITH LAOCOON
1. Who was Laocoon?
2. What did he think of the horse?
3. What did he do to the horse?
4. What advice did he give the Trojans about the horse?
5. Where did the snakes come from?
What’s the significance of this?
6. Where did the snakes retreat?
What is the significance of this?
7. What did the Trojans think of this incident?
8. To sum up: Why did the gods kill Laocoon and his sons?
To sum up: What does this incident tell us about?
 The role of the gods in the fall of Troy?

The theme of deception?

The theme of destiny?
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HOW DOES VIRGIL PORTRAY THE GREEKS?
Virgil wins sympathy for the Trojans because they are the losers but he also increases this
sympathy by making the Greeks very brutal.
Find examples from Book II which emphasise this. Use the following as guides:
GREEK
PORTRAYAL
EVIDENCE
Cunning
Deceiptful
Brutal
Disrespectful of other
cultures/religions
Courageous
Pyrrhus kills Priam
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IMAGERY IN BOOK II
Virgil uses imagery in Book II to match the violence of war. He uses techniques such as
simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, symbolism etc
Match the items in list A with those in list B
LIST A
- Event
LIST B
-
What it symbolises
CORRECT
Giant sea snakes
devouring Laocoon
and his sons
Flood flattening
smiling crops
A
The fall of Troy. The city cannot survive 1=
without a leader.
B
3
Priam left headless
on the beach
C
4
Farmers hacking at
an ancient rowan
tree which is
uprooted and
destroyed and trails
havoc down the
mountain side
Helpless shepherd
standing high on a
crag of rock
Creusa’s death
D
The morning star
rising above Mount
Ida bringing the day.
G
Aeneas (= shepherd) standing on his
rooftop looking helplessly at the burning
city.
Flood represents the Greek army rushing
into the city and destroying (= flattening)
Troy. Smiling crops = happy Trojans
who think the Greeks have left and
therefore have been drinking and
partying all night.
Sea snakes came from the sea therefore
they were sent by Neptune. They
retreated in the temple of Minerva
therefore Minerva protected them. This
event symbolises the part played by the
gods in the fall of Troy and relates to the
theme of deception and destruction.
Symbolises that Aeneas must leave his
past (Creusa belongs to his past) behind
and go on to fulfil his destiny.
Symbolises a new beginning. Aeneas
and the Trojans are destined to gather at
Mount Ida. From here they will escape
and go on to found the western land.
Farmers represent Greeks who have
attacked Troy (= hacking at it, uprooting
and destroying it).
Ancient rowan tree symbolises the old
and famous city of Troy.
When Troy is destroyed neighbouring
states will also suffer (= trails havoc
down the mountainside).
1
2
5
6
7
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F
2=
3=
4=
5=
6=
7=
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IMAGERY IN BOOK II
For each of the examples of imagery listed below, explain what event the image represents.
Image
Pg No
1. A flash flood
destroying crops.
60
2. A man who has
stepped on a snake.
62
3. A great tree that is
finally toppled.
69
4. A river breaking its banks.
66
5. A snake waking from
hibernation.
65
6. A wounded
sacrificial bull.
58
7. Hungry
wolves
searching for
prey.
61
8. Wild winds
of a hurricane
63
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Explain the Meaning
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Exam Practice Question Book Two
EXTRACT ONE
‘These tears gained him his life, and we even began to feel sorry for him.
Priam set the example, giving orders for him to be relieved of the taut ropes
and handcuffs. He spoke kindly to him: “Well, whoever you are, there are
no Greeks here; forget them quickly and become one of us. Now answer
my questions, truthfully and thoroughly. What was their purpose in erecting
this massive structure in the shape of a giant horse? Who suggested it and
what is it for? What is supposed to be its use either in ritual or as an engine
of war?”
(Aeneid, Book II)
QUESTION ONE
In this extract, Aeneas explains how the Greeks tricked the Trojans into defeat.
Analyse in detail and with supporting evidence:


the ways in which Sinon and the other Greeks contributed in the fall of Troy.
The ways in which the Greeks are portrayed in Book II of the Aeneid and why they are
portrayed in this manner by Virgil.
QUESTION TWO
Analyse in detail and with supporting evidence:


The ways in which the gods brought about the fall of Troy and why?
How Virgil wants the reader to view the fall of Troy and reasons why.
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WORK SHEETS ON BOOK four
SYMBOLIC REFERENCE
WHO / WHAT DO THESE REFERENCES RELATE TO?
WHAT DO THEY SYMBOLISE?
AT WHAT STAGE IN THE POEM DO THEY OCCUR?
“maddening poison”, ‘cancerlike’ disease
A Bacchanal “uplifted to a
frenzy”, “furious”, “she ran in an
excited riot”
Comparison to the goddess of
hunting, Diana. She is like an
innocent animal (a doe) “caught
off guard and pierced by an
arrow”.
The storm caused by Juno just
before the hunting scene
The departing Trojans as ants
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pillaging
“Aeneas stood firm like an oak
tree”
Dido’s offerings to the gods
The funeral pyre
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Practice Question Book Four
EXTRACT TWO
Now no sooner had Saturn’s daughter, Jupiter’s dear wife,
1
seen that Dido was in the firm grip of her affliction and that
no thought of her reputation any longer resisted her passion,
than she approached Venus with a suggestion: ‘Well, you and
that boy of yours certainly have fine fruits of victory to show,
5
and great is the glory which you have won. Your distinction
is indeed high and deserves to be famous, now that you two
divinities have managed to trick one woman into defeat. At
the same time I am not wholly unaware that you only view
the peaceful homes of tall Cartage with suspicion because you 10
fear the strength of my city’s defenses. But how far do you
mean to go? What need is there to continue so fierce a rivalry?
Surely it is better for us to collaborate in arranging a permanent
peace, sealed by a marriage-compact. You have gained the
object on which you had set your heart. Dido has drunk the
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maddening poison into her very bones; she is ablaze with love.
Let us therefore share this nation between us, each having
equal authority in its government. Let Dido be free to become
a Phrygian’s slave-wife and to hand over her Tyrians into
your power as the dowry.’
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(Aeneid, Book IV)
In the extract above, Juno confronts Venus and attempts to collaborate with her.
Analyse in detail and with supporting evidence:



Reasons for the rivalry between Juno and Venus?
What agreement do Juno and Venus reach in the passage that follows? How does this agreement
affect Aeneas’ destiny?
Dido’s portrayal in this extract and to what extent is this consistent with the way she is portrayed in
other parts of Book IV.
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Practice Question Book Six
EXTRACT TWO
But seeing Aeneas hastening over the grass towards him, he
1
stretched out both hands to him in his delight. Tears started
down his cheeks; and a cry broke from him: ‘You have come
at last! Your father knew that you would be true. So your
faithfulness has overcome the hard journey? May I really look 5
on your face, Son, and hear the tones which I know so well,
and talk with you? I did in fact expect from my reckoning
that so it would be, for I computed the required passage of
time. And my calculation did not deceive me. But to think of
all the lands and the vast seas which you had to traverse, and all
10
the perils of your storm-tossed journey, before I could
welcome you at last! How I feared too that the royal power of
Africa might do some hurt to you!’ Aeneas answered: ‘Father,
it was ever the vision of yourself, so often mournfully appearing
to me, which compelled me to make my way to the
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threshold of this world. My fleet lies moored on the Etruscan
brine. Father, oh let me, let me, clasp your hand! Do not slip
from my embrace!” As he spoke his face grew wet with the
stream of tears. Three times he tried to cast his arms about his
father’s neck; but three times the clasp was vain and the wraith 20
escaped his hands, like airy winds or the melting of a dream.
(Aeneid, Book VI)
In the extract above, Aeneas meets his father in Hades.
Analyse in detail and with supporting evidence:


Aeneas’ portrayal in this extract and to what extent is this consistent with the way he is portrayed in
other parts of Book VI.
The political messages delivered in Anchises’ prophecy in Book VI. At least TWO of these messages
must relate to Augustus.
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