The Aeneid (Book Four-Book Six)

   Book Four recreates the idea of an over-dramatic soap opera. The book opens with Queen Dido being

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filled with passionate love for Aeneas. She confesses this love to her "sister of her soul", Anna (11). Her "sister" pushes her to pursue this love and tells the Queen to make an excuse for the Romans to stay. Dido prays to the gods for answers and gives sacrifices to appease them for wisdom. She is so enamored by the Trojan that she starts to neglect her duties as queen. Juno plots against Aeneas and compromises with Venus to let the two lovers marry. Venus sees through this deception, but lets the plot continue. Queen Dido invites the Trojans to join the huntsman and herself on a hunt. While in the countryside Juno casts a storm and splits up the group. Dido is so overcome with emotions from the circumstances that she declares her love to Aeneas. After which the two are "married" by the storm.  Rumors fly quickly of the scandal that has taken place. Queen Dido was known for being independent and turning away suitors. This strange Trojan appears on the land and the Queen is "head over heels" in love. Virgil is able to personify the action of a rumor and describe it in such a manner that gives it life. "She thrives on speed, stronger for every stride, / slight with fear at first, soon soaring into the air" (221-222). King Iarbas hears of this union and is outraged. His kingdom had kindly given land to Queen Dido when she was in need, but she refused to marry one of the many suitors from the motherland. The King prays to Jove about the matter so Jove sends Mercury to tell Aeneas that he must travel onward to the rightful land he was promised, Italy. Aeneas orders his men to prepare for travel with out any words to the townspeople. Queen Dido hears of this movement and becomes confused. It amazes me that Aeneas truly believed that he could leave without anyone noticing. When confronted by Dido, Aeneas tries to explain that his allegiance lies to his homeland of Troy. In his mind he never entered a marriage pact with this woman. Aeneas then tells Dido that it is not his will to leave but that of his father, son, and the gods. He is obligated to his family and the gods to settle the land of Italy. Queen Dido responds with fury and goes back to her bridal chamber. "But Aeneas / is driven by duty now" (495-496). Queen Dido sends word to plead with Aeneas to wait for better weather before he voyages on,

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specifically wind. The Trojan refuses to hear her pleas and the Queen resolves to either win his love back or lose her love for him. The love struck women in her resolve sees the only solution to losing love is death. This chain of events brings to mind the simple quote of, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorn" originally written by William Congreve in The Mourning Bride. Dido continually tries to plot ways to regain her integrity amongst her kingdom. She is ashamed that she let a man take advantage of her. Aeneas is warned of these plots in a dream by Mercury and orders the men to prepare to set sail. Dawn breaks as the men prepare and Queen Dido sees them being to leave. The last few pages of the book describe the drama of Queen Dido's suicide. Virgil takes the time to explore the events that surround this death but makes sure to show the emotions that also follow. Overall this book starts off with love and happiness and breaks into death and despair.
     Book Five gives way to celebration and destruction for Aeneas and his men. They travel further into the ocean and the winds pick up so Palinurus, the pilot, recommends they head for Sicily, Acestes land. After landing Aeneas brother, Acestes, greets them. Aeneas recommends having funeral games for his father Achises whose bones were laid to rest on the land. These plans are put into effect and preparations begin for the games. Before the games begin sacrifices are made in order to help Achises' spirit. People come to the games for the chance to see Aeneas and his men on top of the excitement of the games. The first event is a boat race. After some "smooth" sailing prizes are given out to the first, second and third place boats. A foot race, the second event, is started and ends in some controversy. When a runner that tripped unintentionally trips another in order to gain placement, the hinder contestant complains. Aeneas firmly states that the prizes are set but he gives a consolation prize to the cheated competitor. The third event is boxing. The underdog, Entellus, wins with the help of the gods. Archery is the fourth event. Acestes is the oldest contestant and still

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wins after shooting his arrow for practice. A parade of the warriors then goes down the streets of Sicily. Once at the theater round, mock displays of war occur for the entertainment of the townspeople. The games come to an end leading to misfortune for the Trojans. Juno sends Iris to create sabotage among the Trojan people. Iris meets the women of Troy disguised as an aged wife of Doryclus. The Trojan women are distraught that they are still sailing seven years after the war and Iris tries to use this consternation to persuade the women to burn the ships. Pyrgo, a retired royal nurse, sees through Iris disguise and calls her out. The goddess becomes a firestorm and creates chaos in the camp. Only after Aeneas arrives do the woman become calm again because "Juno is driven from their hearts" (751). Aeneas prays to Jove to rescue the ships from the fire. Jove sends a massive rain to quench the fire's destruction. After begin distraught about the chain of events. Natues, an old wise man, tells Aeneas to only take the men who are willing to go to Italy and leave the rest in Sicily. Aeneas does not truly know what to do until his father comes to him in a dream and tells him to listen to Natues. His father also tells Aeneas to visit him in the House of Death to learn more about his journey ahead. Aeneas resolves to follow through with his fathers command and sorts out the details with Acestes. The book then jumps to Venus who is venting about Juno's untamed wrath. She asks Neptune to grant Aeneas safe passage the rest of the way. Neptune appeases Venus' wishes, but warns that one of the men will die. While out at sea, Palinurus refuses to listen to Neptune when he tries to take over for the pilot. The man finally gives in to sleep and is thrown off the ship as a causality of the gods.
       Book Six starts off with Aeneas letting Neptune direct the ship the rest of the journey to Cumae's beaches. The men land their safely and Aeneas goes to Apollo's temple, as per Achises request. While Aeneas prays to Apollo for answers, he is met by Sibyl, a priestess. She is forced to tell Aeneas of his hard fate and that the city he will establish will originally be a Greek area. He learns that fighting will be needed in order to gain control of the land. Aeneas is ready to face the challenges but request permission to see his father in the House of Death. Sibyl warns Aeneas that getting down there is not a challenge, it is the getting out part. The priestess tells Aeneas to go to a sacred tree made of gold and pick a branch. If he can take a branch from the tree he may go on; if not his fate, no amount of strength or weapon can free a branch. The priestess tells Aeneas that he must first bury the body of a friend from his people before he can venture onto the House of Death. Aeneas sees Misenus dead on the shore and understands the priestess' words. They men prepare Misenus for burial while Aeneas sees two doves fly around and views this as a sign for the golden tree. He follows the birds and finds the tree. Without much effort at all he is able to tear off a branch. After the rites of the dead man are performed Aeneas hurriedly continues on his quest. Aeneas returns to Sibyl and she shows him to the doomed gate. Before he reaches the gate he is met by ghastly creatures and Sibyl tells Aeneas to hold out his sword without fear. Even through concern Aeneas holds out his sword and the monsters disappear into thin air. The duo comes to the Acheron river that is guarded by Charon and leads to the underworld. The bank is crowded with the dead waiting for passage on the boat. Some are turned away and Sibyl has to explain to Aeneas that "no spirits may be conveyed / across the horrendous banks and hoarse, roaring flood / until their bones are buried, and they rest in peace" (371-373). Aeneas sees men that he recognizes from battle including Palinurus. The pilot begs Aeneas to bury his body so he can be at peace and cross the river. Sibyl cuts off the warrior's groveling and predicts that his body will be buried. The priestess shows Charon the golden branch as a bride for passage across and the protector drops

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them off on the marsh across the river. Aeneas sees people that he knows as the two walk through different areas in the underworld, in particular the Trojan sees Queen Dido. He stops and tries to explain what happened, but she turns away and goes toward her long-lost, husband. Many of Aeneas comrades come to talk with him, specifically Deiphobus. After being mutilated Deiphobus joined these men in the underworld. Aeneas ask the warrior how he came to this awful fate. The man relays the story of the night in Troy when many of his comrades were slain and how he was betrayed by Spartan whore. Sibyl then interrupts the men and pushes Aeneas onward. As they walk she explains the different torture and torments that are used in the underworld. The two continue on and make it to the pleasant side of the House of Death. They venture on to find Achises and find him in one of the many pleasant groves. Achises is overcome with emotion when he sees his son, Aeneas. Father and son talk about the future lineage of Aeneas and Achises makes reference to Caesar Augustus and how he will "bring back the Age of Gold" (915). Another fate of Rome is said to be King Numa who will be the "first king to found our Rome on laws" (934). Achises makes a reference to the conquering of Corinth. This city can also be seen in the book of Corinthians from the bible, which is formatted as a collection of letters to the people of Corinth. Achises continues to warn his son of the troubles that will be faced in Rome and ends with this passage:

"But you, Roman, remember, rule with all you power

the peoples of the earth --these will be your arts:

to put your stamp on the works and ways of peace,

to spare the defeated, break the proud in war" (981-984)

After telling his son of his fate, Achises warns Aeneas what must happen before the city can be established. Aeneas is headed toward the city of Latium and is warned that he should "shun or shoulder each ordeal / that he must meet" (1028). The book closes with Aeneas and his crew pulling up anchors and sailing away to Latium.