Aeneid 2 Flashcards
Translation:
Line 506
forsitan et Priami fuerint quae fata requiras.
urbis uti captae casum convulsaque vidit
limina tectorum et medium in penetralibus hostem
Perhaps you may also ask what Priam’s fate was.
When he saw the fall of the captured city and
The entrances of his house torn apart and the enemy in their midst in the inner chambers,
Translation:
Line 509
arma diu senior desueta trementibus aevo
circumdat nequiquam umeris et inutile ferrum 510
cingitur, ac densos fertur moriturus in hostis.
In vain the old man put his long unfamiliar armour on his shoulders trembling with age
And he girded on his useless sword
And, about to die, he rushed against the closely-packed enemy.
Translation:
Line 512
aedibus in mediis nudoque sub aetheris axe
ingens ara fuit iuxtaque veterrima laurus
incumbens arae atque umbra complexa penatis.
In the middle of the house and beneath the open vault of heaven
There was a huge altar and nearby a most ancient laurel
Overhanging the altar and embracing the household gods with shade.
Translation:
Line 515
hic Hecuba et natae nequiquam altaria circum, 515
praecipites atra ceu tempestate columbae,
condensae et divum amplexae simulacra sedebant.
Here Hecuba and her daughters were sitting around the altar in vain, 515
Like doves driven headlong by a dark storm,
Huddled together and embracing the images of the gods.
Translation:
Line 518
ipsum autem sumptis Priamum iuvenalibus armis
ut vidit, ‘quae mens tam dira, miserrime coniunx,
impulit his cingi telis? aut quo ruis?’ inquit. 520
However when she saw Priam himself, having taken up the arms of his youth
She said ‘What intention so dreadful, most wretched husband,
Drives you to gird on these weapons? Or where are you rushing to?’ 520
Translation:
Line 521
‘non tali auxilio nec defensoribus istis
tempus eget; non, si ipse meus nunc adforet Hector
‘This situation does not need such help nor defenders of that sort
Not [even] if my Hector himself were here now.
Translation:
Line 523
huc tandem concede; haec ara tuebitur omnis,
aut moriere simul.’ sic ore effata recepit
ad sese et sacra longaeuum in sede locavit. 525
Come here finally; this altar will protect us all,
Or you will die along with us.’ Having spoken this from her mouth, she drew
The aged one to her and placed him on the sacred throne. 525
Translation:
Line 526
ecce autem elapsus Pyrrhi de caede Polites,
unus natorum Priami, per tela, per hostis
porticibus longis fugit et vacua atria lustrat
However – look! – having escaped from the slaughter of Pyrrhus, Polites
One of the sons of Priam, fled through the weapons, through the enemies
Down the long colonnades and moved through the empty halls,
Translation:
Line 529
saucius. illum ardens infesto vulnere Pyrrhus
insequitur, iam iamque manu tenet et premit hasta. 530
Wounded. Pyrrhus, fired up, pursued him with a threatening weapon [lit. translation: ‘wound’]
And now, now he held him with his hand and pressed upon him with his spear. 530
Translation:
Line 531
ut tandem ante oculos evasit et ora parentum,
concidit ac multo vitam cum sanguine fudit.
When he (Polites) finally emerged before the eyes and faces of his parents,
He collapsed and poured out his life with a great deal of blood.
Translation:
Line 533
hic Priamus, quamquam in media iam morte tenetur,
non tamen abstinuit nec voci iraeque pepercit:
Here Priam, although he was now held in the midst of death
Did not hold back, however, nor did he spare his voice and anger:
Translation:
Line 535
‘at tibi pro scelere,’ exclamat, ‘pro talibus ausis 535
di, si qua est caelo pietas quae talia curet,
He exclaimed ‘Well then, in return for your crime, in return for such outrages 535
If there is any justice in heaven which cares for such things
Translation:
Line 537
persolvant grates dignas et praemia reddant
debita, qui nati coram me cernere letum
fecisti et patrios foedasti funere vultus.
May the gods pay you a suitable thanks and pay you back such rewards
You who made me see the death of my son before my eyes
And defiled a father’s sight with death.
Translation:
Line 540
at non ille, satum quo te mentiris, Achilles 540
talis in hoste fuit Priamo; sed iura fidemque
supplicis erubuit corpusque exsangue sepulcro
reddidit Hectoreum meque in mea regna remisit.’
But that Achilles, from whom you falsely say you were produced 540
Was not such a person [as you] in the case of his enemy Priam; but he respected the rights
And trust of a suppliant, gave back the bloodless body of Hector for burial
And he sent me back into my kingdom.’
Translation:
Line 544
sic fatus senior telumque imbelle sine ictu
coniecit, rauco quod protinus aere repulsum, 545
et summo clipei nequiquam umbone pependit.
The old man spoke thus and threw his feeble speak without force
Which was immediately repelled by the harsh-sounding bronze, 545
And hung in vain from the surface of the shield’s boss.
Translation:
Line 547:
cui Pyrrhus: ‘referes ergo haec et nuntius ibis
Pelidae genitori. illi mea tristia facta
degeneremque Neoptolemum narrare memento.
To which Pyrrhus [said] : ‘ Then you will report these things and you will go as a messenger
To my father, the son of Peleus. Remember to relate to him my cruel deeds
And that Neoptolemus is degenerate.
Translation:
Line 550
‘nunc morere.’ hoc dicens altaria ad ipsa trementem 550
traxit et in multo lapsantem sanguine nati,
implicuitque comam laeva, dextraque coruscum
extulit ac lateri capulo tenus abdidit ensem.
Now die!’ While saying this, he dragged to the very altar the trembling (Priam) 550
Slipping in the much of his son’s copious blood,
And he grasped his hair with his left hand and with his right hand and he drew out his flashing sword.
And he buried it up to in his (Priam’s) side.
Translation:
Line 554
haec finis Priami fatorum, hic exitus illum
sorte tulit Troiam incensam et prolapsa videntem 555
Pergama, tot quondam populis terrisque superbum
regnatorem Asiae. iacet ingens litore truncus,
avulsumque umeris caput et sine nomine corpus.
This was the end of Priam’s fate, this death carried him
In accordance with density as he saw Troy set on fire and the citadel fallen down, 555
(a man who was) once the proud ruler of so many peoples and races of Asia.
He lied on the shore a huge trunk,
His head torn from his shoulders and a corpse without a name.
Translation:
Line 705
dixerat ille, et iam per moenia clarior ignis 705
auditur, propiusque aestus incendia volvunt.
‘ergo age, care pater, cervici imponere nostrae;
He (Anchises) had spoken, and now the fire was heard more clearly through the walls, 705
And the fires rolled the heat nearer.
‘Come then, dear Father, place yourself on my neck;
Translation:
Line 708
ipse subibo umeris nec me labor iste gravabit;
quo res cumque cadent, unum et commune periclum,
una salus ambobus erit. mihi parvus Iulus 710
sit comes, et longe servet vestigia coniunx.
I myself will take you up on my shoulders, nor will that task burden me;
However things turn out, there will be one shared danger
There will be one safety for us both. Let little Iulus be 710
Be a companion to me, and let my wife observe my footprints at a distance.
Translation:
Line 712
vos, famuli, quae dicam animis advertite vestris.
est urbe egressis tumulus templumque vetustum
desertae Cereris, iuxtaque antiqua cupressus
religione patrum multos servata per annos; 715
You, my attendants, heed in your minds what I shall say.
For those who have left the city there is a hillock and an old temple
Of the deserted Ceres, and next to it an ancient cypress
Preserved for many years by the reverence of our ancestors; 715
Translation:
Line 716
hanc ex diverso sedem veniemus in unam.
tu, genitor, cape sacra manu patriosque penatis;
me bello e tanto digressum et caede recenti
attrectare nefas, donec me flumine vivo
abluero.’ 720
We shall come to this one place from different directions.
You, father, take the sacred objects and the ancestral household gods in your hand;
It is a sin that I, having come away from such great war and recent slaughter,
Should touch them, until I (wash) myself in flowing water
Wash.’ 720
Translation
Line 721
haec fatus latos umeros subiectaque colla
veste super fulvique insternor pelle leonis,
Having spoken these (words), I covered my broad shoulders and lowered my neck
With a garment on top, the skin of a tawny lion,
Translation
Line 723
succedoque oneri; dextrae se parvus Iulus
implicuit sequiturque patrem non passibus aequis;
pone subit coniunx. ferimur per opaca locorum, 725
And I took up the burden, little lulus entwined himself with my right hand
And he followed his father with unequal steps;
My wife followed behind. We rushed through dark places, 725
Translation
Line 726
et me, quem dudum non ulla iniecta movebant
tela neque adverso glomerati examine Grai,
And me – who not long ago was not moved by any weapon thrown,
Nor by the Greeks massed together in an opposing swarm,
Translation
Line 728
nunc omnes terrent aurae, sonus excitat omnis
suspensum et pariter comitique onerique timentem.
Was now all the terrified by all the breezes, alarmed by every sound,
Apprehensive and fearing for both my companion and burden alike.
Translation:
Line 730
iamque propinquabam portis omnemque videbar 730
evasisse viam, subito cum creber ad auris
visus adesse pedum sonitus, genitorque per umbram
prospiciens ‘nate,’ exclamat, ‘fuge, nate; propinquant.
And now I was approaching the gates and I seemed 730
To have passed over every path, when suddenly the repeated sound
Of feet seemed to come to my ears and my father
Looking ahead through the shade exclaimed ‘Son, flee, son; they are approaching
Translation:
Line 734
ardentis clipeos atque aera micantia cerno.’
hic mihi nescio quod trepido male numen amicum 735
confusam eripuit mentem. namque avia cursu
I see burning shields and flashing bronze.’
Here some unfriendly divine power 735
Snatched my confused mind away from fear. For while I
Translation:
Line 737
dum sequor et nota excedo regione viarum,
heu misero coniunx fatone erepta Creusa
substitit, erravitne via seu lapsa resedit,
incertum; nec post oculis est reddita nostris. 740
Followed the by-ways at a run and left the known area of paths;
Alas whether my wife Creusa, snatched away from wretched me by fate,
Stopped or whether she wandered from the path or collapsed and sat down
Is uncertain; neither was she restored to my eyes afterwards. 740
Translation:
Line 768
ausus quin etiam voces iactare per umbram
implevi clamore vias, maestusque Creusam
nequiquam ingeminans iterumque iterumque vocavi. 770
Nay even having dared to hurl cries through the shade
I filled the streets with my shouting and sadly repeating ‘Creusa’
In vain I called her both again and again. 770
Translation:
Line 771
quaerenti et tectis urbis sine fine ruenti
infelix simulacrum atque ipsius umbra Creusae
visa mihi ante oculos et nota maior imago.
As I was searching and rushing without end among the buildings of the city
The unhappy image and ghost of Creusa herself
Appeared to me before my eyes and as a likeness larger than she was known [to me].
Translation:
Line 774
obstipui, steteruntque comae et uox faucibus haesit.
tum sic adfari et curas his demere dictis: 775
I was astounded, and my hair stood on end and my voice stuck in my throat.
Then she addressed me thus and removed my anxieties with these words: 775
Translation:
Line 776
‘quid tantum insano iuvat indulgere dolori,
o dulcis coniunx? non haec sine numine divum
eveniunt; nec te comitem hinc portare Creusam
fas, aut ille sinit superi regnator Olympi.
‘What use is it to indulge so much in mad grief,
O dear husband? These things do not happen without the will of gods;
Nor is it right for you to take Creusa as a companion from here
Nor does that [great] ruler of high Olympus allow it.
Translation:
Line 780
longa tibi exsilia et vastum maris aequor arandum, 780
et terram Hesperiam venies, ubi Lydius arva
inter opima virum leni fluit agmine Thybris.
You will have a long exile and you must plough a vast expanse of sea, 780
And you will come to the Hesperian Land, where the Lydian Thybris
Flows between the fertile fields of men with its gentle stream.
Translation:
Line 783
illic res laetae regnumque et regia coniunx
parta tibi; lacrimas dilectae pelle Creusae.
There happy things, and a kingdom and a royal wife
Have been provided for you; banish your tears for your beloved Creusa.
Translation:
Line 785
non ego Myrmidonum sedes Dolopumue superbas 785
aspiciam aut Grais servitum matribus ibo,
Dardanis et divae Veneris nurus;
I shall not behold the proud homes of the Myrmidons or the Dolopians 785
Or go to be a slave to Greek matrons,
As a descendant of Dardanus and the daughter in law of the goddess Venus;
Translation
Line 788
sed me magna deum genetrix his detinet oris.
iamque vale et nati serva communis amorem.’
But the great mother of the gods keeps me in these shores.
And now farewell and protect the love of our son we have in common.’
Translation
Line 790
haec ubi dicta dedit, lacrimantem et multa volentem 790
dicere deseruit, tenuisque recessit in auras.
ter conatus ibi collo dare bracchia circum;
When she gave these words, she abandoned me crying and wanting to say many things 790
and she withdrew into the delicate breeze.
Three times there I tried to throw my arms around her neck;
Translation
Line 793
ter frustra comprensa manus effugit imago,
par levibus ventis volucrique simillima somno.
Three times the image which I grasped in vain escaped my hands,
Like the light winds and most similar to a fleeting dream.
Commentary:
Line 506
forsitan et Priami fuerint quae fata requiras.
urbis uti captae casum convulsaque vidit
limina tectorum et medium in penetralibus hostem,
- fricative alliteration ‘fortisan … fuerint … fata’ suggests Aeneas’ distate for the dismal fate of Anchises
- ‘captae casum convulsaque’ Cacophony - reflects the bad situation which is the city’s downfall
- In terms of form, there is a zoom in from outside, to the house, to the inner chambers, which demonstrates how trapped and enclosed people feel and how the enemy is slowly taking over what they knew to be home and safe.
Commentary:
Line 509
arma diu senior desueta trementibus aevo
circumdat nequiquam umeris et inutile ferrum 510
cingitur, ac densos fertur moriturus in hostes.
- ‘inutile’ The use of hypallage/ transferred epithet, creates the impression that the sword is useless when really it is the user of the sword (Priam) that is useless.
- ‘inutile ferrum/cingitur’ - enjambment - long, exhausting process for Priam (both mental and physical) as he is an old man
- ‘densos… moriturus in hostes’ enclosed word order - Priam in middle of enemies, hemmed in, no room for fighting
Commentary:
Line 512
aedibus in mediis nudoque sub aetheris axe
ingens ara fuit iuxtaque veterrima laurus
incumbens arae atque umbra complexa penates.
- almost could be called a locus amoenus (charming/tranquil place with nature) - juxtaposed with awful slaughter of Trojans by Greece, derogatory, even worse because it happened at altar (holy place)
- ‘ara’, ‘arae’, ‘penates’ - semantic field of divinity - not even gods can protect the Trojans now (in a holy and venerable location)
Commentary:
Line 515
hic Hecuba et natae nequiquam altaria circum, 515
praecipites atra ceu tempestate columbae,
condensae et divum amplexae simulacra sedebant.
- dove in storm- ‘praeciptites atra ceu tempestate columbae’- relates to the vulnerable daughters sitting in the alter - ‘hic Hecuba et natae nequiquam altraia circum’
- chiasmus and simile. doves (A in ABBA formation) torn apart by storm (B in ABBA formation). chiasmus depicts peaceful imagery destroyed by the violence of the storm. Foreshadows they will be separated
- embracing images of Gods- emphasis on images because they are less significant and helpful than the God’s themselves
Commentary:
Line 518
ipsum autem sumptis Priamum iuvenalibus armis
ut vidit, ‘quae mens tam dira, miserrime coniunx,
impulit his cingi telis? aut quo ruis?’ inquit. 520
- rhetorical questions show incredulity
Commentary
Line 521
‘non tali auxilio nec defensoribus istis
tempus eget; non, si ipse meus nunc adforet Hector.
- anaphora – repetition of ‘non’ to emphasise the loss
- help of that sort shows how desperate they all are that even priam who is old and fragile feels the need to try help
- even my hector shows the desperate situation
Commentary
Line 523
huc tandem concede; haec ara tuebitur omnis,
aut moriere simul.’ sic ore effata recepit
ad sese et sacra longaeuum in sede locavit. 525
- circumlocution - puts emphasis on her words showing the dire situation
- priams name is sandwiched inbetween sacred and throne showing protection
Commentary
Line 526
ecce autem elapsus Pyrrhi de caede Polites,
unus natorum Priami, per tela, per hostis
porticibus longis fugit et vacua atria lustrat
- direct address - make you more interested
- ‘per tela, per hostis’ anaphora and asyndeton to create the feeling of forward movement and create suspense
Commentary
Line 529
saucius. illum ardens infesto vulnere Pyrrhus
insequitur, iam iamque manu tenet et premit hasta. 530
- irony: “ardens” means fired up and phyrrus means something to do with fire - this emphasises the fire and danger around
- repetition of “iam” to make it seem the events are happening “now” which creates more investment in the events
- chiasmus, hand and spear are on either end showing Polites being surrounded with no hope of escape. Press upon and hold are the Bs creating even more feelings of claustrophobia
Commentary
Line 531
ut tandem ante oculos evasit et ora parentum,
concidit ac multo vitam cum sanguine fudit.
.- metaphor of his life pouring out to create more pathos for polites
Commentary
Line 533
hic Priamus, quamquam in media iam morte tenetur,
non tamen abstinuit nec voci iraeque pepercit:
- ## ‘tenetur’ = passive - show death is out of Priam’s control, so it is the gods’ or Phyrrus’ fault. Also creates pathos for Priam because he is helpless
Commentary
Line 535
‘at tibi pro scelere,’ exclamat, ‘pro talibus ausis 535
di, si qua est caelo pietas quae talia curet,
Active verb ‘exclamat’ (exclaimed) clearly depicts Priam’s rage and disgust
Commentary
Line 537
persolvant grates dignas et praemia reddant
debita, qui nati coram me cernere letum
fecisti et patrios foedasti funere vultus.
- Chiasmus of an economis metaphor mimics the desired the action of repayment
- Tautology; the repeating of the idea allows it to hold more emotional impact the second time. abt death
- fricative - harsh sound on the ear mirroring the harsh image of being forced to watch his son die.
Commentary
Line 540
at non ille, satum quo te mentiris, Achilles 540
talis in hoste fuit Priamo; sed iura fidemque
supplicis erubuit corpusque exsangue sepulcro
reddidit Hectoreum meque in mea regna remisit.’
- ‘atum quo te mentiris’ = Content : this is an insult as patriacharcal heritage was valued very highly amongst the Greeks.
- Context: supplication was a protected act, and it was forbidden to harm or kill a supplicant
- ‘corpusque exsangue sepulcro’ = concentrated tri-colon of death: intensifies the brutality of Priam losing Hector.
Commentary
Line 544
sic fatus senior telumque imbelle sine ictu
coniecit, rauco quod protinus aere repulsum, 545
et summo clipei nequiquam umbone pependit.
- ‘imbele sine’ = hypallage - actually describes the old man. This highlights his age and further emphasises the futility of the situationas even a spear is useless in his hand
- enjambment emphasises the time taken for the spear to be thrown and reach its target. - highlights his age, weakness and inability to fight/defend himself
- in vain - the futility of Priam’s spear throwing attempt mimics the futility of any attempt of his to defend himself
Commentary
Line 547:
cui Pyrrhus: ‘referes ergo haec et nuntius ibis
Pelidae genitori. illi mea tristia facta
degeneremque Neoptolemum narrare memento.
- ‘referes ergo haec et nuntius ibis’ = tautology - emphasises Priam’s reduction of King to a lowly messenger - demonstrates Pyrrhus’ dominance of him
= foreshadows Priam’s death - Priam will take a message to Achilles (who is dead). – Pyrrhus finds the prospect of Priam’s death and the resulting ability to relay a message to Achilles humorous - Pyrrhus’ tone is infantile and mocking –> highlights contrast between old Priam and Pyrrhus - by highlighting their differences in age and maturity, it emphasises how Pyrrhus’ life is beginning and Priam’s life is about to end
Commentary
Line 550
‘nunc morere.’ hoc dicens altaria ad ipsa trementem 550
traxit et in multo lapsantem sanguine nati,
implicuitque comam laeva, dextraque coruscum
extulit ac lateri capulo tenus abdidit ensem.
- enclosing word order - mirrors enclosing nature of situation
- ‘implicuitque … coruscum’ = chiasmus - centres attention on hands (that commit such a terrible crime) - in extension focusses attention on the murder itself.
- enjambment - Pyrrhus is taking his time to elongate Priam’s pain –> relishing in and enjoying the murder
Commentary
Line 554
haec finis Priami fatorum, hic exitus illum
sorte tulit Troiam incensam et prolapsa videntem 555
Pergama, tot quondam populis terrisque superbum
regnatorem Asiae. iacet ingens litore truncus,
avulsumque umeris caput et sine nomine corpus.
- cyclical structure - refers back to mention of fate - brings full circle like Priam’s life has gone full circle - emphasises finality
- repetition of the idea of fate/ destiny - highlights non escapability of situation - meant to be
- the last thing Priam sees is the destruction of his city - creates pathos - tragic as we know how much he treasured his city
- tree trunk - dehumanizes and reduces him from a king to an inanimate object - reminiscent of laurel tree - meant to protect Troy but has been reduced to a trunk
- graphic imagery reflects violence of war.
unnessecary amounts of pain inflicted on Priam - highlights Pyrrhus’ pleasure and enjoyment of Priam’s death - makes it as painful as possible - nameless corpse - dehumanised - worthless and anonymous –> nothing left of him, no legacy - no Troy left to have a legacy. embarrassing, unsuitable death of a king - pathetic and lonely
- Priam has been dragged away from his home/ city - further humiliates him and highlights Pyrrhus’ disrespect for Priam’s life - highlights loneliness as time of death - creates pathos
- Pyrrhus has stripped Priam of his burial rights - can’t pass to underworld- can’t relay message to Achilles in underworld
- reminiscent of Achilles dragging Hectar’s body - however Achilles gave the body back - Priam’s body is not in the condition to be given back
Commentary
Line 705
dixerat ille, et iam per moenia clarior ignis 705
auditur, propiusque aestus incendia volvunt.
‘ergo age, care pater, cervici imponere nostrae;
- Tautology: The fire increases in closeness (the fire was heard more clearly), (the fire rolled the heat nearer). This emphasises the urgency for Aeneas and his family to leave Troy
- “age” is an imperative which conveys urgency and Aeneas’ leadership
= pietas - Aeneas refers to his neck as “cervici…nostrae” (our neck) because it will support him and his father so it belongs to both of them. This shows his pietas
Commentary
Line 708
ipse subibo umeris nec me labor iste gravabit;
quo res cumque cadent, unum et commune periclum,
una salus ambobus erit. mihi parvus Iulus 710
sit comes, et longe servet vestigia coniunx.
- “iste” is usually a contemptuous ‘that’ and the litotes of “nec…gravabit” also shows that Aeneas does think of his father being on his shoulders as a burden
- ## ‘una salus ambobus erit’ = Indicative verb suggests that Aeneas is confident they will get out and get to safety, or that is what he would like to believe.
Commentary
Line 712
vos, famuli, quae dicam animis advertite vestris.
est urbe egressis tumulus templumque vetustum
desertae Cereris, iuxtaque antiqua cupressus
religione patrum multos servata per annos; 715
- Hypallage - Ceres has also been deserted which shows the ruinous effect of war
Commentary
Line 716
hanc ex diverso sedem veniemus in unam.
tu, genitor, cape sacra manu patriosque penatis;
me bello e tanto digressum et caede recenti
attrectare nefas, donec me flumine vivo
abluero.’ 720
- ‘tu…penatis’ = The dactylic metre creates a fast paced atmosphere which expresses the urgency of the situation
- Shows Aeneas is pious because he didn’t want to touch the household gods with his bloody hands, given that blood is a pollutant so will make the gods dirty and would cause miasma (religious pollution)
- The emphatic positioning of “abluero” demonstrates the importance of washing impurities, like blood, off of the body. It also shows that Aeneas is pious and respectful towards the gods.``
Commentary
Line 721
haec fatus latos umeros subiectaque colla
veste super fulvique insternor pelle leonis,
- ‘leonis’ = reminder of Hercules
-
Commentary:
Line 723
succedoque oneri; dextrae se parvus Iulus
implicuit sequiturque patrem non passibus aequis;
pone subit coniunx. ferimur per opaca locorum, 725
- Aeneas’s use of ‘burden’ ‘oneri’ when referring to his father emphasises the inconvenience of having to carrying him, positioning himself as a hero doing an honourable deed
- Coniunx is placed at the end of the sentence possibly highlighting that Creusa is forgotten about or an after thought
Commentary:
Line 726
et me, quem dudum non ulla iniecta movebant
tela neque adverso glomerati examine Grai,
- ## The word order is mixed up which mimics that people are mixed up
Commentary:
Line 728
nunc omnes terrent aurae, sonus excitat omnis
suspensum et pariter comitique onerique timentem.
- chiasmus - ABCCBA
appears as if the noises and breezes are like swarm, surrounding him on every side.
the chiasmus is like a reflection - polyptoton -
omnes, omnis
emphasizes Aeneas’ fear - meter
word accent falls on the second of each of the second, third, and forth foot
displays Aeneas jumping at the noises/breezes
Commentary:
Line 730
iamque propinquabam portis omnemque videbar 730
evasisse viam, subito cum creber ad auris
visus adesse pedum sonitus, genitorque per umbram
prospiciens ‘nate,’ exclamat, ‘fuge, nate; propinquant.
- ‘videbar’ = The use of the imperfect passive here ‘seemed’ implies that he cannot fully trust what he sees, emphasising the chaos at that moment as he rushes with his father, son and wife.
- The adjective ‘creber’ (repeated) here suggests that either many enemies are approaching, or that he is slightly hallucinating and losing control o his senses, making sounds appear repeated.
- The ‘cum creber’ creating cacophany demonstrates the agressive sounds he is hearing
-‘nate…nate’ = Chiasmus - could imply how Aeneas surrounds/ is responsible for his family. Imperative - sense of urgency, repetition emphasises this.
Commentary:
Line 734
ardentis clipeos atque aera micantia cerno.’
hic mihi nescio quod trepido male numen amicum 735
confusam eripuit mentem. namque avia cursu
- ‘ardentis clipeos’ (burning shields) and ‘area micantia’ (flashing bronze) = Tautology - makes the threat seem greater.
- also example of Chiasmus = mirrored structure reflects the content. overwhelmed by fire.
- prolepsis - his mind shouldn’t be confused yet, so emphasises how confused he became after his mind was snatched away
Commentary:
Line 737
dum sequor et nota excedo regione viarum,
heu misero coniunx fatone erepta Creusa
substitit, erravitne via seu lapsa resedit,
incertum; nec post oculis est reddita nostris. 740
- tricolon of nescience: doesn;t know what happened to Creusa
- emjambment and emphatic position of “incertum” to emphasize his confusion and uncertainty - being confused creates more pathos for him so we are less judgemental at him for losing his wife.
- polysyndeton dramtaises the plausible causes
- circumlocution = micmics his confused state
Commentary:
Line 768
ausus quin etiam voces iactare per umbram
implevi clamore vias, maestusque Creusam
nequiquam ingeminans iterumque iterumque vocavi. 770
- emphatic position of ‘umbram’ which emphasies Aeneas’ bravery and sets the mood of darkness
- tetra colon diminuendo
going from ‘iactare’ (hurl) and ‘voces’ (call) to shouting and sadly repeating - the verb loses intensity and force as he realizes his are futile and Creusa is gone.
Commentary:
Line 771
quaerenti et tectis urbis sine fine ruenti
infelix simulacrum atque ipsius umbra Creusae
visa mihi ante oculos et nota maior imago.`
- simalacrum and umbra = Tautology emphasising that Cruesa is not alive
Commentary:
Line 774
obstipui, steteruntque comae et uox faucibus haesit.
tum sic adfari et curas his demere dictis: 775
- tricolon of reactions
emphasising his shock
-
Commentary:
Line 776
‘quid tantum insano iuvat indulgere dolori,
o dulcis coniunx? non haec sine numine divum
eveniunt; nec te comitem hinc portare Creusam
fas, aut ille sinit superi regnator Olympi.
- rhetorical question - echoes the idea that ghosts are all knowing
- litotes’non’ and ‘nec’ - she seems in control; acting as the god’s vessel
- ‘divum’ (gods) emphasising the fall of troy - subsequent loss is predestined’
= Aeneas trying to justify his actions to get Dido’s approval?
Commentary:
Line 780
longa tibi exsilia et vastum maris aequor arandum, 780
et terram Hesperiam venies, ubi Lydius arva
inter opima virum leni fluit agmine Thybris.
- ‘exsilla’ is poetic plural = prolepsis of his 7 year wandering
- ‘arandum’ (plough) and ‘arva’ (ploughed fields) = repeated idea of agriculture - upon which Italy was founded
- figura etymologica
- last line is a lovely calming description - hopeful promise
Commentary:
Line 783
illic res laetae regnumque et regia coniunx
parta tibi; lacrimas dilectae pelle Creusae.
‘res’ regnum’ and ‘regia’ = tricolon, making it sound more appealing
- parta tibi = enjambment which delays the climax and offers unexpected relief and certainity
Commentary:
Line 785
non ego Myrmidonum sedes Dolopumue superbas 785
aspiciam aut Grais servitum matribus ibo,
Dardanis et divae Veneris nurus;
- sedes and superbas = sibilance and portrays Creusa’s hissing disapproval of the Greeks
- Creusa stresses her divine descent and the fact that it is not a full line could emphasise her indignation
Commentary:
Line 788
sed me magna deum genetrix his detinet oris.
iamque vale et nati serva communis amorem.’
- Creusa’s final word to Aeneas is love highlighting her care for him and their family
Commentary:
Line 790
haec ubi dicta dedit, lacrimantem et multa volentem 790
dicere deseruit, tenuisque recessit in auras.
ter conatus ibi collo dare bracchia circum;
- The semantic field of image throughout the appearance of Creusa’s ghost empahsises how she is not there and that Aeneas reality might not be the one that is being retold to Dido.
- ‘ter’ three times is a common trope of Roman Literature
Commentary:
ter frustra comprensa manus effugit imago,
par levibus ventis volucrique simillima somno.
- ‘ter’ three times links to Homer’s Odysseus which increases the sadness felt and makes it more moving for the audience
- The use of the superlative emphasises how short the visit of Creusa’s ghost felt and the sibilance (simillima somno) creates a soft, soothing atmosphere.
