Higher Latin - Virgil, Aeneid - Extract 5 - Notes

magno misceri murmure caelum

incipit

"with a great rumbling the sky began to be stirred"

The use of alliteration emphasises the "m" sounds and creates an onomatopoeic effect which mimics the sound of thunder. This evokes the sense of sound and highlights the immense volume of the storm.

grandine

"hailstones"

The inclusion of hailstones in the storm shows the severity of it as hail are a feature of only the most fierce thunderstorms.

et Tyrii comites passim et Troiana iuventus

"And both the Tyrian companions and Trojan youths"

These two balanced phrases draw attention to how well the Carthaginians and Romans have been getting on.

Dardaniusque nepos Veneris

"and the Trojan grandson of Venus"

This is a very elevated, epic way to refer to Ascanius, reminding us of his ancestry. It also caps the ascending tricolon

passim

diversa per agros

"here and there"

"in different direction through the fields"

The word choice of "passim" and the placement of "diversa per agros" conveys the frantic movement of the hunters and shows the chaos among them.

metu

"in their fear"

The word choice of "menu" highlights the severity of the storm as it shows how even the battle hardened Trojans were afraid.

Dido dux et Troianus

"Dido and the Trojan leader"

Juxtaposition of Dido and dux (even though the word refers to Aeneas) stresses the closeness of Dido and Aeneas and also suggests that she is the leader in the affair

prima et Tellus

"Primal Earth"

Primal Earth acts as a master of ceremonies with Juno

pronuba Iuno

"Juno as matron of honour"

a Roman bride would be accompanied by an older married lady who gives the bride to the husband

fulsere ignes

"the fires shone"

a Roman wedding takes place at night with a torch lit procession to the house of the husband

conscius

The dual meaning of this word, both meaning "witness" but also having the sense sharing in a guilty secret, suggesting that there is something unnatural and wrong about the marriage.

summoque ulularunt vertice Nymphae.

"and on the mountain-top the Nymphs shrieked."

The word choice of "ulularunt" foreshadows the disastrous consequences of the wedding due to its dual meaning. The word refers both to the joyful cries accompanying the procession, but also the panic-stricken wailing associated with despair.

ille dies primus leti primusque malorum causa fuit;

"That day was the first day of death and the cause of the sufferings;"

The phrase "ille dies primus leti primusque" clearly shows that the actions in the cave and Dido's interpretations of them will be the reason for their downfall. The repetition in "primus leti primusque" adds dramatic effect and emphasises the severity of the events.

This is strengthened by the phrase "malorum causa" in which Virgil explicitly says that everything to come will be the result of this wedding.

specie famave

"neither by appearance or rumours"

The use of the word 'rumour' suggests that people consider the affair to be scandalous or at least gossipworthy

nec iam furtivum Dido meditatur amorem

"nor any longer did she consider her love to be secret:"

The word choice of "furtivum" suggests that, while she used to view her love as a secret, it is now open for everyone to see. This shows how Dido regarded the events of the storm as a legal marriage.

coniugium vocat

"she called it marriage"

This shows that Dido is telling people that they are married and now longer cares about what people think of her.

hoc praetexit nomine culpam.

"and by this name she concealed her fault."

The phrase "praetexit... culpam" shows that Dido is aware of her wrong doings and is actively trying to cover them up. This conveys that, in calling their relationship a marriage, Dido is to blame for the later tragedy.

Dido has viewed the events in the cave as a marriage and she gave up her vow to Synchaeus. This makes her solely responsible for her downfall; neither the gods nor fate made her do this.