Dido's Interpretation Of Aeneas
Aeneas’ interpretation of amor focuses on his higher purposes and future attachments, whereas Dido’s focuses on her personal, present attachments. Aeneas is not the most poignant speech maker, as is revealed through his only rebuttal of Dido’s claims. Within his thirty-line speech, Aeneas effectively tramples upon any hope Dido holds of a happy relationship and steady marriage. “sed nunc Italiam magnam Gryneus Apollo, / Italiam Lyciae iussere capessere sortes; / hic amor, haec patria est” (4.345-347). The last time he felt amor was when he was within the walls of the now-fallen Troy. For Aeneas, amor is something very difficult to attach to a person; to him it embodies more than simply love: it is hope and it is a base upon which something greater will grow. Despite whatever strong feelings he holds for Dido, he cannot attach this deep emotion to her, as she has done to him. Instead, he chooses to attach this feeling to his destiny and the orders of the god Apollo. Aeneas has found something great in Carthage, that should not be overlooked. He is a king there, and his men are safe and cared for. But he
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is so devoted to the quest for his amor that he is willing to sacrifice whatever momentary personal happiness he has achieved for this fated goal.
His amor has become trifurcated: it now embodies his love of Troy, his devotion to the gods, and his devotion to his son.
This is seen in how Ascanius’ fate also plays a major role in convincing Aeneas to leave Carthage. “me puer Ascanius capitisque iniuria cari, / quem regno Hesperiae fraudo at fatalibus arvis” (4.354-354). “et nos fas extera quaerere regna” (4.350). It is heavily implied that Aeneas feels guilt in leaving Dido, but the thought of keeping Ascanius from his fate and the greatness Aeneas knows he will achieve hits him harder than separating from Dido; Aeneas here says that he feels as if he is defrauding Ascanius by remaining in Carthage. Ascanius has been a motivating factor for Aeneas since the beginning of his journey; it was the flame above Ascanius’ head that convinced Aeneas that seeking this new Troy was the right thing to
do.
“At first seen only as Aeneas' beloved son, Iulus gradually becomes associated, in the order of narrative, with the love that beguiles Dido in order to keep the hero safe for his journey to Rome, then with the Julian star, and finally with the love of country in the name of which Aeneas sails from Carthage” (Skulsky, 454).
Ascanius has grown into something so much more than Aeneas’ son. He is the embodiment of the Trojan race and the potential of their descendants. When Aeneas speaks of defrauding Ascanius, he is speaking of more than just his son. Without Ascanius in the proper place, the Trojan people will not flourish as they should, as they could have had the war not pushed them from their homes. Aeneas’ interest in Ascanius’ right to his kingdom is the final factor of Aeneas’ amor.
is so devoted to the quest for his amor that he is willing to sacrifice whatever momentary personal happiness he has achieved for this fated goal.
His amor has become trifurcated: it now embodies his love of Troy, his devotion to the gods, and his devotion to his son.
This is seen in how Ascanius’ fate also plays a major role in convincing Aeneas to leave Carthage. “me puer Ascanius capitisque iniuria cari, / quem regno Hesperiae fraudo at fatalibus arvis” (4.354-354). “et nos fas extera quaerere regna” (4.350). It is heavily implied that Aeneas feels guilt in leaving Dido, but the thought of keeping Ascanius from his fate and the greatness Aeneas knows he will achieve hits him harder than separating from Dido; Aeneas here says that he feels as if he is defrauding Ascanius by remaining in Carthage. Ascanius has been a motivating factor for Aeneas since the beginning of his journey; it was the flame above Ascanius’ head that convinced Aeneas that seeking this new Troy was the right thing to
do.
“At first seen only as Aeneas' beloved son, Iulus gradually becomes associated, in the order of narrative, with the love that beguiles Dido in order to keep the hero safe for his journey to Rome, then with the Julian star, and finally with the love of country in the name of which Aeneas sails from Carthage” (Skulsky, 454).
Ascanius has grown into something so much more than Aeneas’ son. He is the embodiment of the Trojan race and the potential of their descendants. When Aeneas speaks of defrauding Ascanius, he is speaking of more than just his son. Without Ascanius in the proper place, the Trojan people will not flourish as they should, as they could have had the war not pushed them from their homes. Aeneas’ interest in Ascanius’ right to his kingdom is the final factor of Aeneas’ amor.