The storm at sea (I. 8-296) is the prelude to the whole “Aeneid”.
1.23 Carthago Italiam contra
Rome vs. Carthage for world dominion is a main theme from the beginning. (Think how subtly Caesar
emphasizes this same theme in DBG)
The last 6 books are symbolic of Italo-Roman struggle and the civil wars.
“The Aeneid”s deepest tragedy is that its people loved too much.
Juno
Venus
Turnus
Dido
Amata
Laocoon
Evander
Aeneas
Aeneas is the personification of all things Roman.
Vergil’s Jupiter is the symbol of what Rome as an idea embodies – an organizing force
Juno is the symbol of the demonic forces of violence and destruction.
Conflicts: Jupiter and Juno
Aeneas and Dido
Aeneas and Turnus
Jupiter, Aeneas and Augustus (and Julius Caesar) are conquerors.
Juno, Dido, Turnus and Antony (and the Gauls, the Helvetians and Ariovistus and the Britons) are
conquered representatives.
Book 4 294-297
The gates of war are closed. Historical event in a single image – Augustus’ Pax Romana means that
Rome is a divinely inspired order. (How does Caesar indicate the Rome is a divinely inspired order?)
Aeolus and Neptune (opposites)
calm vs. anger
Aeolus (controlling winds) is symbolic of Augustus’ conquest of furor (impius) ( How does Caesar
conquer furor?)
Bk 1 148 (Ac veluti) Allusion ot 54 b.c. Cato calmed the raging populance as does Augustus.
The myth of Aeneas is a metaphor of Roman history and Augustan fulfillment.
3 LEVELS OF REALITY IN “THE AENEID”
Cosmos – sphere of divine order, the world of ideas and law
Myth – heroic world of poetic persons and destiny
History – World of historical and political phenomoen
Bk 1. – 94 “o terque quarterque beati .. .
This expresses Aeneas ‘ need for the warmth of a home
It was thought that being with loved ones eased the sting of death
Dido with Anna
Turnus with Juturna
Sorrowful memory of Troy is a recurring theme in the first four books of “The Aenied”
1.
372 conversation with Venus
Trojan reliefs in Juno’s temple at Carthage
All of Book 2
IV. 430 Tells Dido of his longing for Troy
Aeneas’ relationship with Hector also emphasizes the sorrow dream vision.
The first four books is the Trojan “Iliad”
The last four books in the Italian “Iliad”
Books 5-8 is the hero’s emancipation from the burden of the past. The thought of Troy becomes
replaced by the vision of Rome after his visit to the underworld.
Aeneas turns from his ancestors to his descendants.
Aeneas simultaneously comprises past, present and future.
Aeneas is a hero of duty because fulfillment of duty is essential to Res Romana ( How are Caesar
and the Romans moved by duty? How are the Gauls, Helvetians and Britons moved by duty?)
IV. 331 – Aeneas is moved not by love but by compassion for Dido’s grief BUT he is forced by his
religious duty to the gods to neglect his human duty to Dido.
Iv. 339 – oak simile
This simile, symbolic of Aeneas’ heroic manner is closely related to the inner strength prized by
the Stoics. (Where did the Romans appear stoic in DBG?)
Aeneas’ tears are related to the leaves on the oak tree. His weeping makes him human when he
could be perceived as cruel or hard hearted. Aeneas always passes through sorrow as
overwhelmed as he is by it.
Aeneas’ attitude toward sorrow and fate is not stoic, because he is allowed to have feelings.
Aeneas’ character combines several traits:
Homeric heroism/ Early Roman Stoic – magnitude animi/ Vergiio-Augustan – humanitas
6th book – Aeneas finds the Roman ides (Think about what Anchises tells him in the underworld.
Think about Marcellus)
7th and 8th Book – He meets the Roman soil and landscape. At Evander’s house, Aeneas leaves
the oriental world and enters the Roman world. Aeneas becomes a Roman at heart.
DIDO
1.494 – Tragic reversal – We first see Dido at her happiest (like Oedipus)
Dido makes her appearance in the temple because only there does her person and
actions find a worthy frame. She is like Aeneas in her reverence for the gods ( she
observes rituals). She is like Aeneas in the gentleness and generosity of her nature. Her
tragedy develops from her great and noble soul.
IV>. 66 Deer simile
3 functions 1. Makes Dido’s roaming more explicit
2. Reveals Dido’s state of mind
3. Foreshadows her tragic end
Dido must die because her character will not allow another solution. She could approach her
suitors, follow the Trojans, order the Tyrians to follow the Trojans but her character won’t allow
her.
Her pride, her self respect, her sense of dignity and her thirst for revenge all demand her
death.
Three times she tries to alter her fate.
She asks Aeneas to stay.
Anna asks Aeneas to stay.
Dido’s last monologue is her return to greatness.
1. Rises from doom to speak to Anna (450-521)
2. Nocturnal monologue- She makes her decision to die.
3. Monologue in which she issues the curse.
4. Final monologue where she withdraws from this world but whose glory will shine forever
as the founder of Carthage.
Dido, like Aeneas, suffers from the tension between heart’s desire and the harsh demands of self
respect and glory.