Dies Lunae
Idibus Februariis

Lege Latine: Aen.1. 449–494.

Lege Anglice : Introduction to Vergil's Georgics; Introduction (Handout, pp. 11, 15 –19), Georgics 1 (pp. 51–73)

Meditare:

Literary Term of the Day: Ecphrasis.

Aeneid: A recurring motive in the Aeneid is the failure/misinterpretation of signs and suggestions. How does Aeneas react to the depiction of Trojan War on Juno's temple?

Memento: Probatiuncula Quarta

Dies Mercurii
a.d. XV Kalendas Martias

Lege Latine: Aen. 2.1–56.

Lege Anglice:

Aeneid 1. 494–756 (Mandelbaum, pp. 18–27)
Georgics 1

Meditare:

Aeneid: How is Dido introduced to the reader [note that she is compared to (the virgin goddess) Diana]? to Aeneas?

Note how Ilioneus describes Carthage ("curbing haughty / nations by justice: iustitiaque dedit gentis frenare superbas); compares Dido's reaction to hearing of Troy with Venus' dismissal of Aeneas' boast ("quisque es..."); note the simile used to describe Aeneas once he appears before Dido--how is this a particularly appropriate way for him to seem to the queen?

Why does Venus send Cupid (in the guise of Ascanius) to Dido? Where is he sitting as the story of Troy's fall begins?

What sort of song does the bard Bitias sing (p. 26)? His subject matter is quite different from the heroic tales sung in the Odyssey--why do you suppose Vergil chose to insert this type of poetry in this tale?

Georgics: Note the double-prologue, as in the opening of the Aeneid. What other similarities/differences do you see between the two prologues?

Beginning in v. 125, Vergil narrates describes the Cycle of Ages. How is this telling similar/different to the description in Eclogue IV?

How does the detailed description of the natural world in Book I prepare for the omens that accompany Caesar’s assassination?

 

Dies Veneris
a.d. XIII Kalendas Martias

Lege Latine: Aen. 2.199–240.

Lege Anglice:

"Laocoon and the Expression of Pain" by William Schupbach
Aeneid 2. 57 –198 (Mandelbaum, pp. 30–35)
Georgics 2 (esp. vv. 135–176--pp. 74–76, 81–82)

Scribe: Aen. 2.209–215 (on Scanning Worksheet)

Meditare:

Aeneid: How does Vergil use sound effects (assonance, consonance, alliteration) in his description of the approach of the serpents from Tenedos?

Georgics: Compare the vision of Rome at the conclusion of Book I (and the prayer for peace) with the Eulogy of Italy (2. 135–176). In the Eulogy, how would you describe Roman society’s relationship with nature?

How could the figures mentioned at the end of Book 2 cause you to re-evaluate the stability and/or purity of rustic life?