1. Book Four
The Aeneid

2. Book Four
From the very beginning of the book it is clear that Dido has fallen in love with Aeneas. She is completely infatuated by him.
She hesitates because after the death of her husband she swore she would never marry again but she is consumed by love and her sister Anna tells her that Sychaeus would not begrudge her a new husband. As well as this, with so many hostile tribes surrounding the new city, she would increase the might of Carthage.
Dido is so obsessed with Aeneas, she even stops the building of Carthage, she can only think about him.

3. Book four
Seeing what is happening, Juno makes a pact with Venus, agreeing to the union between the two lovers.
Juno wants to stop Aeneas from fulfilling his destiny and prevent the future destruction of Carthage. Understanding this, Venus agrees to go along with the marriage as long as Jupiter blesses it.

4. Book four
One day, when Juno, Aeneas and her court are out hunting, Juno brings a storm down upon them. She arranges Aeneas and Dido to wind up in a cave by themselves.
Aeneas and Dido make love and when they return to Carthage they live openly as lovers.
Dido considers this to be a marriage pact and views them as married, even though the union has not been consecrated in ceremony.

5. Book four
Rumours of the union fly around the towns and people become anxious that Aeneas and Dido have begun to neglect their responsibilities as rulers.
When Jupiter learns of the affair, he dispatches Mercury to Carthage with an order to forget about Dido and travel to Italy, where he is destined to found a great city and nation.
Aeneas is shocked, he must obey but he doesn’t know how to tell Dido of his departure.
Mercury advises him to prepare his ships in secret but Dido suspects his plans and confronts Aeneas, begging him to stay.

6. Book four
In a rage, Dido insults him and accuses him of stealing her honour. While Aeneas pities her he maintains that he has no choice but to follow the will of the gods.
As a last effort, Dido sends her sister Anna to persuade Aeneas to stay, but he will not relent, he is determined to leave Carthage.
Torn between fierce love and bitter anger, Dido prepares a funeral pyre to burn all of Aeneas’s clothes, weapons and even the bed they slept on. She wants to erase his from her memory.

7. Book four
Dido considers following the Trojans to Italy, or calling her people to take up arms against them but pursues neither of these thoughts.
When Dido awakes she discovers Aeneas has left in the night. Seeing an empty shore, she curses the Trojans and falls into despair.
Taking one of Aeneas’ swords, she plunges into her body and curses her absent lover.
Taking pity on Dido, Juno sends a messenger to Carthage to bring Dido’s soul to the underworld.

8. Reading Read the following passages:
l. 1 – 52: Dido confesses to her sister her love for Aeneas.
L. 162 – 705: Aeneas is visited by Mercury, Dido confronts him and Dido decides to kill herself.

9. Book four important points
It is safe to say that the tragic love affair between Dido and Aeneas is heightened by the fact that Dido’s love for Aeneas is more intense and extreme than his love for her. Aeneas has little bother leaving her (although he has no wish to hurt her deliberately). Has he invested less, emotionally, in this relationship? This would seem to be the case!

10. Book four important points
Moreover, Aeneas seems to enjoy the short romance, seeing it as an opportunity to leave his arduous duties and responsibilities, as a leader, behind for a moment in time. In other words the love affair is a brief respite, rather than a permanent arrangement. He has been told, many times, in book 2-3 that he is destined to found a new nation. He knows his future is not in Carthage.
Juno, Venus and Mercury (Gods) play a very important role in this chapter, conducting and influencing the course of events.

11. Book four important points
Aeneas has no hesitation in following the command of the Gods – ditching Dido is a consequence of this obedience.
Aeneas may seem very caustic, cold, and unfeeling in this book. Remember he does not intentionally want to hurt Dido or cause her pain. He has no idea how to tell her he is leaving, he handles the breakup quite awkwardly. However, his choices are limited, Jupiter has foreordained that Aeneas will build a city in Italy.

12. Book four important points
Dido is completely absorbed by the affair: her people are not happy with her that she has left the construction of her building unfinished. Aeneas is far less besotted. For him, ultimately, civic duty supersedes personal or individual joy.

13. questions
Dido has become a literary icon for the tragic lover. Do you think she deserves our sympathy? Give reasons for your answer.
In what ways does Aeneas act as an exemplary Roman in this book?
A central theme in The Aeneid is fulfilling destiny. How is that demonstrated in this book?
To what extent do you think the gods had a significant role in the downfall of Dido? Give reasons for your answer.