Aeneid VI, Lines 679 - 686

Question 1

Give a brief description about what is happening in these lines.

Answer 1

• In the Fields of the Blessed, this is where Aeneas meets his father, Anchises. Before Aeneas meets him, he sees Anchises looking over and observing his descendants, along with their fates and destinies.
• When Anchises sees Aeneas heading towards him he emotionally tries to embrace him whilst speaking.

Question 2

“convalle virenti”

Answer 2

• The pleasant surroundings in this part of the underworld stand in stark contrast to the grim and gloomy atmosphere at the start of Aeneas’ descent.

Question 3

“lustrabat studio recolens”

Answer 3

• “lustro”(was surveying) implies a slow and careful surveying, and its use in conjunction with the participle phrase “studio recolens”(which ernest contemplation), with the verb “recensebat”(was reviewing), makes it abundantly clear that Anchises is reviweing his descendants with the utmost care and interest.
• This further reinforces Anchises care and character and how he is committed to this glorious lines of descendants

Question 4

“fataque fortunasque virums moresque manusque.”

Answer 4

• The alliterative balance of this line and the repetition of -que again suggests Anchises’ interest in this descendants furtures

Question 5

“…Aenean”

Answer 5

• Enjabent of this word places particular emphasis on Aeneas’ name, reflecting the impact upon Anchises of seeing his son finally after such a long absence.

Question 6

“alacris palmas…excidit ore.”

Answer 6

• Virgil conveys Anchises’ emotions upon seeing his son in a number of ways here
  
  • The use of the adjective “alacris”(eager) to describe Anchises’ hand is an example of transferred epithet, where Anchises’ own eagerness is attributed to his hand.
  • The fact that he stretches out both of his hands suggests a particular longong on Anchises’ part.
  • The fact the tears of joy pour on his cheeks also makes clear stength of his emotion.
  • The use of the verb “excidit”(tumbled from) suggests that his speech falls forth involuntarily, and that Anchises cannot restrain himself in this joy from crying out to his son