Lines 783 - 784 Notes

Question 1

res laetae, regnum

Answer 1

‘happy circumstances’ suggests peace. The facts are totally different. Aeneas, when he gets to Latium, faces a difficult and bloody war against Turnus.

Question 2

regia coniunx

Answer 2

this is Lavinia, King Latinus’ daughter. She is not simply there for the taking, but is promised to Turnus. Juno will stir up a war for Aeneas. Creusa does not mention this, but perhaps she has not been informed of Juno’s plans.

Question 3

The emotional impact here is huge

Answer 3

Aeneas loves Creusa, and she is now telling him, as he tries to process the fact of her death, that he will marry another woman. Very upsetting.

Question 4

pelle lacrimas

Answer 4

her saying this tells us that Aeneas is in fact crying as she speaks.

Question 5

Rhythm

783 is completely spondaic

Answer 5

She slows down the rhythm to announce the important prophecy.