Dido became more and more infatuated with Aeneas since we first arrived. Aeneas kept us here much longer than we should have remained. The rest of the crew and I wondered what is wrong with Aeneas. He knew that our fate did not belong there in Carthage. He kept us in Carthage far too long, and he spent far too much time with Dido. We were all aware that we must leave soon (and should have already left), Aeneas included, but he continued to spend time with the queen.
Not even that long ago, Dido and Aeneas went hunting through the outskirts of the city. Since they returned, they had been open about their intimate relationship. I don't think Aeneas realized how dangerous his stupidity could have been. Dido had been struck by the gods. Her emotions were beyond her control , and love flew dangerously and wildly out of her. Before our arrival, she had turned down suitors' requests previously. This was not a change in heart by the queen, no. This was love straight from the divine.
Finally, Aeneas seemed to snap back into his right mind. He told the men to set up to sail out. It was far form a favorable time to sail, but no one was arguing to get Aeneas away from Dido. Except she became the main problem with our escape. Aeneas had to let her know of his departure, even though he had already stealthily set us up for departure. Anyways, Dido flew into a rage, or so Aeneas said it went. We were waiting until the next day to depart, but Aeneas came through, half panicking, waking us all up and telling us to suit up and sail off immediately. Once again, no one argued. We were all ready to get off that continent.
I can't help but pity Dido. She was struck by Cupid's arrow, and from then her fate was at the hands of the gods, fate, and Aeneas. Her actions were dominated by her unnatural, out-of-control love for Aeneas. Aeneas didn't help the situation at all. He spent more time with Dido than anyone else I had seen him with since the fall of Troy, and Aeneas led her on with his understanding of the relationship. Any idiot could have seen they were on two different pages. I just hope that we can put this behind us and make it to Italy.
Pretty swell. You did a good job of telling the story and had a standpoint for Achates. I don't know, maybe focus more on Aeneas and the theme of the writing next time? This is pretty good overall.
ReplyDeleteGood job on this post. Your coverage of the story is thorough, but it's not just a list of events; you do show some personality in the telling. I thought the intro was a little long or slow though and that you could have gotten into the story a little quicker and with "spicier" language. Keep up the good writing.
ReplyDeletePS I really liked your suggestion that Aeneas NEVER should have told Dido if he said he wasn't going to. That was interesting.
ReplyDeleteExcellent blog Dom. You covered Achates very well and you had a good summary. You could have added a little more about Dido, but it's still great.
ReplyDeleteMeh. Accurate retelling. Presented the theme. Would like to see an integration of Achates's personality with the theme next time.
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