THE AENEID: BOOK 1
The story opens with a brief introduction from Virgil who explains that he used to write pastoral poetry but is now turning his attention to "the terrible strife of Mars"- i.e. wars
The first paragraph tells the story of a man "fated to be an exile" who will endure many tribulations and trials as he founds a city. His ancestors will eventually found the city of Rome. Virgil then asks for inspiration from the muse of poetry and tells how the Queen of Heaven-_____________ will cause Aeneas to face so many trials.
Virgil follows this with an introduction about Carthage. It was inhabited by immigrants from __________ and was a city rich and powerful. It was Juno’s favourite city.
However she knew that the descendents of Troy would one-day overthrow her beloved city, as it was the plan of "____________
_____________________"
The story continues as the Trojans depart from _________. Juno hatches a plan to cause the Trojans to be diverted to Africa. She goes to Aeolia and to ____________ king of the winds. With the promise of the most beautiful sea-nymph ____________ in marriage, Aeolus agrees to unleash a powerful storm to disrupt the Trojans.
"I owe to you all my authority in this little realm of mine"
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A terrible storm strikes the Trojan fleet. In a theme that is common throughout the first 6 books, Aeneas looks back to the past and the heroes who were lucky to die in the Trojan War. As he encounters this tumultuous tempest he bemoans;
"______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________"
The ships are tossed and broken in the storm. Many are lost with their crews as Aeneas looks on. However the king of the Oceans, ________________, becomes aware of a storm in his domain. As he is the only one who can order such a storm, he summons the ____________________________________________ and puts a stop to the storm. He instructs them to: "Make haste and withdraw"
As the storm retreats, Virgil compares the storm to a "_______________________
_________________________________________"
The epic simile is important in this scene as it has a double meaning. Who and what is Virgil comparing this scene to?
Next Aeneas and his men make for the nearest land. They set course for Africa where they land in a safe sound. There are only ____ ships left from his fleet and on landing his men:
The first action of Aeneas is to climb a rock and look for his lost comrades. He spies some __________ and promptly shoots ______ of them, equal in number to the surviving ships.
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Aeneas then addresses his men. He assures them that despite the suffering that they have endured the way is to _______________ where " Destiny offers us rest and a home" He is however putting on a brave face for their benefit as his thoughts are with the lost men. After the feast as they discuss their lost comrades, Virgil describes Aeneas using the epithet the True. The epithet is borrowed from Homer who used it to describe the heroes of his epic poem ________________________, which was the inspiration for The Aeneid.
The next scene involves Venus addressing _________________. Venus is downcast and upset as her son Aeneas is suffering these ordeals even though he is ____________ to found a new city in Italy. She asks how it is possible for __________________ to escape and found the city ______________, yet her own son is like a puppet of the gods.
Jupiter replies to his daughter and relates that Aeneas’ destiny will be fulfilled. He then tells the story of Roman history as decreed by the __________.
" therefore shall I speak of the more distant future, and, turning the scrolls of the Fates, awake their secrets"
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At the conclusion of his prophecy, Jupiter sends _____________________ down to Carthage to cast a spell over the Carthaginians so that they do not attack the Trojans.
Meanwhile the next day Aeneas decides to explore the surrounding countryside with his comrade ________________________. On their journey they encounter a maiden dressed as a huntress. This is his mother Venus. Venus pretends to be looking for one of her sisters. While Aeneas does not recognise his mother, he nevertheless knows that the huntress they have encountered is " a goddess surely you must be"
He then enquires as to where they are and who inhabits this land.
Venus then tells the story of Dido and Carthage:
Aeneas then tells his own story
Venus interrupts her son at this point and reminds him that if the gods hated him, then he wouldn’t be alive at this stage. She relays the good news that all his lost comrades have returned or are close to returning. As she tells him to continue on his way she reveals her disguise and disappears. Aeneas laments "Ah, you too are cruel" As a final gesture Venus envelops Aeneas and Achates in a protective mist so that no one may see or touch them.
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Aeneas and Achates continue on their way and climb a hill, which commands a view of Carthage. It is a hive of activity as they build and plough fields. Virgil compares it to _______ as they go about their activities.
As they mingle unseen among the Carthaginians, Aeneas comes to a temple. When the Carthaginians first came to the city, they found a ______________________, which was a sign to build a temple there. The temple is dedicated to _______.
As Aeneas wanders through the temple "for the first time his fears were allayed" Inside on the walls, scenes from ______
___________________ were pictured.
Famous characters such as Priam (__________________), Agamemnon (________________________), Achilles (____________
_____________________) and even Aeneas himself is depicted in the scenes.
As Aeneas looks at the scenes, Dido enters the temple with her retinue. She is describes as being as beautiful as _____________ and the first impression we get of Dido is one of a wise and fair leader. At this point 3 members of Aeneas’ lost crew, along with other crewmembers, enter the temple.
_______________ addresses Dido and tells the story of their travels. He tells her about Aeneas although he doesn’t know whether he is still alive-"if destiny preserves him still" He pleads the case of the Trojans who were not there to conquer or destroy the Carthaginians
WHAT ELSE DOES HE PLEAD?
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Dido replies to this speech and offers this to the Trojans:
At this point the mist that surrounds Aeneas and Achates disappears-"Here I am, in your presence, the one for whom you all look". He tells Dido that she will be thanked for her kindness and that it will come from powers beyond. This is very __________ as we will see in Book IV.
Dido then replies that she is fully aware of the Trojan War and all the characters involved. She likens herself to the Trojans.
In what ways is Dido similar to Aeneas? -
At this point Dido and Aeneas head towards her palace where a sumptuous feast is being prepared. Dido orders that bulls, pigs, lambs and wine be sent to the remaining men on the shore.
However Aeneas’ thoughts are with his son ______________, also known as __________. He sends Achates to the ships to bring Ascanius back to the palace and to retrieve presents to present to Dido.
Yet, __________ ponders a new plan. She is weary of the Carthaginians and is uncertain of their hospitality. In particular "Juno’s savage will tormented her".
She decides to send her son _________ down to Carthage to replace ______________ at the feast. Venus tells him that she needs his help otherwise Juno will act first to curtail his plans. Venus appeals to Cupid that he will be helping his ________________. Her plan is simple. Ascanius will be put to sleep so as to prevent him warning his father or from appearing suddenly at the feast. Cupid will then disguise himself as Ascanius and at the feast when Dido
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kisses him, he will cast a spell for Dido to fall in love with Aeneas.
Cupid then throws away his wings and after Venus has hidden Iulus; he then descends to Carthage and takes his place at the feast.
At the feast, many Carthaginians are present who wonder at the gifts from Aeneas. Virgil describes Dido as the ___________________________________ who was "condemned now to sure destruction". Unaware of what was happening, Dido is fixated on Ascanius/Cupid. As she kisses him, Cupid remembers his mother’s orders and he:
"he assailed the heart of hers so long inactive, and her brain, so unused to these thoughts, with the thrill of a living love"
As the feast progresses, Dido prays to _____________ to make this day a fortunate one for the Carthaginians and the Trojans. She assails Aeneas with many questions about the war and she finally implores him to;
"tell me, guest of mine, the whole story from the beginning . . . . . . . . ."
