Dies Lunae
a.d. XIII Kalendas Apriles

Lege Latine: Aen. 4.295–332

Lege Anglice:

Models for the exchange between Dido and Aeneas: Euripides Medea "Second Episode" (446f.); Apollonius Argonautica 4.355f.; Catullus 64.131f.

Aen. 4.333–361 (Mandelbaum, pp. 90–91 [vv. 448–492])

Meditare:

In v. 316 (per conubia nostra, per inceptos hymenaeos), Dido paraphrases a line said by Ariadne in Catullus 64.141 (sed conubia laeta, sed optatos hymenaeos). This is one of many allusion to Catullus 64 in this section of the Aeneid. What effect do allusions such as this have on your understanding and appeciation of Dido's speech?

When Dido declares that she is moritura (v. 308), as readers we may immediate fasten on the hidden implication that she will commit suicide, but what is the more practical meaning of this designation, the meaning that Aeneas would likely understand?

What tone does Aeneas take in his defense speech? How does he support his decision to leave Carthage?

Memento: Probatiuncula Octiva

Dies Mercurii
a.d. XI Kalendas Apriles

Lege Latine: Aen. 4.362–397

Lege Anglice:

Aen. 4.398–641 (Mandelbaum, pp. 92–100 [vv. 546–887])

Scribe:

Scan 4.365–370 (Scanning Worksheet) and identify at least three poetic devices Vergil deploys in this passage.

Meditare:

What is the effect of the narrator's numerous apostrophes to Dido in the Book?

What final favor does Dido ask of Aeneas (through the intermediary of Anna)? When attempting to employ this ruse, does Dido remind you of any of the female characters encountered by Odysseus? How does this parallel reinforce the characterization of Aeneas? Note the incredible simile used to describe his conviction.

When Aeneas appears in Dido's mind, what form does he take?

What possible revenge does Dido ponder against Aeneas, the Trojans, and (especially) Ascanius? Why does she decide against this course of action?

What are the specific curses that Dido calls down upon Aeneas.

Praesentatio: History of the Punic Wars (Julie & Sarah)

Dies Veneris
a.d. IX Kalendas Apriles

Lege Latine: Aen. 4.642–671 and 4.693–705

Lege Anglice:

Sophocles Ajax 420f.

4.672–692 (Mandelbaum, pp. 101–102 [vv. 925–954])

Scribe:

Final Project, Pars II: Scan your passage, noting especially any unusual metrical effects. Links to digital texts are available on the “Digital Resources” page of the course website. I suggest that you print out the passage and scan as you would on a metrical worksheet. Submit this sheet.

Meditare:

What possible revenge does Dido ponder against Aeneas, the Trojans, and (especially) Ascanius? Why does she decide against this course of action?

What are the specific curses that Dido calls down upon Aeneas. It is modelled generally on Polyphemus' curse on Odysseus in Odyssey 9. A piece of historical trivia: it was these lines that confronted the soon to be decapitated Charles I when he consulted the Sortes Vergilianae.

Is Dido's death at all ennobling?