Jupiter settles the argument of Venus and Juno, and, although we know Aeneas’ fate sets up some level of ambiguity about the forthcoming wars.
‘Trojan and Rutulian I shall treat alike.’
Simile: ‘As each man has set up his loom, so he will endure the labour and fortune of it..’
Divine intervention - the nymphs that Cybele had made from burnt ships speak to Aeneas
‘the boy Ascanius is trapped behind the wall and ditches… up with you then…’
Aeneas’ majestic appearance as he arrives in Italy - reminiscent of Caesar’s comet and definitely portraying him as a dangerous figure - almost dark.
‘On the head of Aeneas blazed a tongue of fire… like the gloomy blood red glow of a comet on a clear night, or the dismal blaze of Sirius the Dog-star shedding its sinister light across the sky and bringing thirst and disease to suffering mortals.’
Hercules’ reaction to Pallas’ prayer to defeat Turnus - adding more pathos. Father son relationship theme is emphasised by Jupiter’s response to Hercules
‘Hercules checked the great groan rising from the depths of his heart and helpless tears streamed from his eyes. Then Father Jupiter spoke these loving words to his son ‘Each man has his allotted day. All life is brief’.
Simile that shows Aeneas furor when he hears of the death of Pallas
‘Everything that stood before him he harvested with the sword, cutting a broad swathe through the enemy ranks, and burning with rage as he looked for this Turnus flushed with slaughter.’
Aeneas’ lack of clemency fuelled by furor after Pallas’ death
‘he took Magus’ helmet in his left hand, and bending back his neck when he was still begging for mercy, he drove the sword home to the hilt.’
Theme of premature death in the description of Aeneas’ killing of Lausus (though he didn’t want to - remember Lausus deserved a better father than Mezentius) pathos created as his mother still makes his clothes and this shows his youth
‘Aeneas drive his mighty sword through the middle of the young man’s body… It pierced too the tunic his mother had woven for him with a soft thread of gold and filled the folds of it with blood.’
Mezentius’ character arc as he realises the error of his ways and we feel pathos for him having to witness the death of his son even though we know of his previous crimes - Virgil’s tendency to create multi faceted characters that aren’t good or bad on display here
‘Was I so besotted with the pleasure of living that I allowed my own son to take my place under my enemy’s sword?.. And I have even stained your name, my son, by my crimes.’
The war horse, Rhaebus, softens Mezentius’ character further
‘We have lived a long time Rhaebus, if any mortal life is long’… Rhaebus took on his back the weight he knew so well.’
