Aeneas’s Brief Response to Dido’s Intense Accusation

Response and analysis of passage #2

This passage is part of the Aeneas’s brief response to Dido’s intense accusation. Dido is a competent ruler of Carthage, which she founded after her husband died and she fled Tyre. Dido was very determined because she decided not to marry again, in order to memorize her husband. She focused on all political responsibilities and led Carthage to become a powerful city. However, Dido’s tragedy love began after Cupid’s arrow stroke her. She fell in love with Aeneas almost madly. Though Dido hesitated because she had sworn that she would never marry again, her sister Anna counselled at the same time, saying that it’s a good way to increase the Carthage might be marriage. As they became closer and closer, anxious rumors among Carthage citizens that Dido and Aeneas now surrender themselves only to lust and began to neglect their responsibilities as rulers.

Then Jupiter knew about this affair and he sent Mercury to Carthage on purpose to remind Aeneas about his fate and his destiny may lie in one place named Italy, so he had no choice but to leave this sweet island. This message shocked Aeneas successfully and he realized that he must obey it to take the responsibility to his fate. He had no idea on how to explain this to Dido and how to tell her about his departure, so he tried to prepare it secretly. But the queen found out and she accused him intensely in a rage. She insulted and accused him of stealing her honor and being heartless and coldness. This passage is a typical representative response to the accusation which shows Aeneas’s firm’s determination.

As a leader of Troy, Aeneas respected prediction about fate and he’s willing to make effort to incorporate the prophecy into his real actions, despite some of the emotional impulses that would conflict with his real duty. Thus, in the relationship with Dido, though his happiness and love for Dido, they are now with considerably less anxiety and grief. He was able to leave her in the Carthage, go back, and bring the survivors to Italy. His actions are a result of temporary abandonment of his duties and responsibilities. No matter how much he loves Dido, he is dutiful and is ready to finish his mission all the time.

By saying “Nor have I ever proposed marriage to you or entered into any nuptial agreement”, he tried to convince her that he didn’t have the responsibility to stay in Carthage and take care of her during the rest of his life without the limitation of a nuptial agreement. Then he further explained that his “first concern” would be the welfare of Troy. He argued that without a true marriage, he should be free to respect prophecy and leave Carthage. He accepted his destined path in spite of his unhappiness. Aeneas was unhappy. He was not heartless and cold as Dido thought him in the book IV. According to book IV, before he made this response, he “hid his pain steadfastly