Aeneid VI, Lines 687 - 694

Question 1

Give a brief description about what is happening in these lines

Answer 1

• Aeneas has at last been reunited with his father (Anchises) in the underworld. Anchises has spoken first, expressing his joy, but not surprise, that his dutiful son has come to find him.
• Anchises has also mentioned how difficult and dangerous Aeneas’ journey has been, taking him over lands and seas, and via the hostile land of Carthage.

Question 2

“‘venisti tandem…reddere voces.”

Answer 2

• The fact that Anchises’ words to Aeneas begin with two rhetorical questions helps to reflect his overjoyed disbelief that Aeneas has arrived.
• It is as if he is pinching himself to confirm it’s true, further showing his relief that Aeneas has arrived

Question 3

“Venisti…”

Answer 3

• The fact that this verb is brought forward and the first of this speech emphasises the source of Anchises’ joy

Question 4

“tua”

This word is repeated in Anchises’ speech.

Answer 4

• The repetition of the pronoun “tua” and the emphatically positioned vocative “nate”(my son) convey Anchises’ great personal affection for his son.

Question 5

“tua et notas audire”

Answer 5

• The double elision here hlps to suggest a voice that is breaking with emotion.

Question 6

“tempora dinumerans”

Answer 6

• Virgil makes further reference here to Anchises’ anticipation of his son’s arrival in the world.
• The fact that Anchises has tried to predict how long it will take for his son to arrive further helps to underscore his affection for Aeneas.

Question 7

“nec me mea cura fefellit”

Answer 7

• Virgil offeres further evidence of Anchises’ love for his son as Anchises himself makes direct reference to it.
• The repeition of “me/me…fefe…” arguably suggests a voice wavering with emotion.

Question 8

“quas…quanta..quantis…quam…”

Answer 8

• Series of exclamations introduced by words conveying the extent of the difficulties which Aeneas has overcome to reach the underworld. Anchises’ pride and sense of wonder are clear.
• The hyperbaton of “quantis…pericilis” serves further to emphasise the extent of dangers which Aeneas has encountered

Question 9

“ne quid Libyae tibi regna nocerent!”

Answer 9

• This is a refrence to Aeneas’ stay in Carthage with Dido, and the danger posed to Aeneas and to the fulfilment of his destiny by thei tragic love affair.
• The fact Anchises has chosen to mention further shows how much he truly cares for Aeneas and was worried over his safety whilst Aeneas made the journey to the underworld.