Vergil, Aeneid, Book 4

Alliteration creates a soothing rhythm which contrasts with her turbulent emotions for dramatic effect.

Alliteration amplifies the tumultuous feelings that wound and turn within Dido’s heart.

Alliteration signifies resolution as it brings linguistic cohesion to describe her healing process.

Alliteration minimizes the severity of Dido’s emotional struggle for better narrative pacing.

Simple phraseology belies the complexity of her inner strife and decision-making processes.

Casual language minimizes her suffering and reflects societal norms.

Carefully chosen words emphasize Dido’s intense emotions and conflicted loyalty.

Formal vocabulary indicates distance and impartiality towards her own feelings.

It suggests that Dido has found peace between her emotions and responsibilities.

It demonstrates a harmonious balance between Carthage's prosperity and her love affair.

It mirrors the chaotic intertwining of love and reason within Dido’s internal conflict.

It reveals a clear separation between public duty and personal desire for Dido.

She interprets favorable signs from Venus as validation of abandoning political duties.

She completely submits to the gods' decrees without any resistance or emotionality.

She offers sacrifices seeking approval from gods to justify her love for Aeneas.

Her disregard for omens shows a conflict between human passion and divine will.

A heavy spondee at the start or end of a line accentuating emotional weight.

Regular meter throughout representing controlled emotions.

A series of quick dactyls throughout suggesting her erratic state.

An elision that blurs words together reflecting her confused thoughts.

As an exemplar of traditional Roman virtues like gravitas and virtus.

As a woman overcome by passion, demonstrating weakness and irrationality.

As a priestess who places religious duties above personal desires.

As a powerful and independent leader, equal to male counterparts.

Dido's opulent palace is contrasted with Aeneas' modest shipboard accommodations.

The poet compares Carthaginian prosperity with Roman austerity.

He juxtaposes Dido's flourishing city with tales of Trojan suffering, highlighting shared sorrow.

Virgil contrasts Carthage's tropical climate with Troy's cold winters.

It highlights her indifference toward potential consequences.

It underscores her confidence in Aeneas's commitment to her.

It emphasizes her deep uncertainty and anxieties about the future.

It conveys a sense of joy about possible outcomes with Aeneas.

The encouragement for rulers to follow their emotional instincts.

The promotion of moral restraint and political stability over personal passion.

The acceptance of strong female figures leading their people without male governance.

The advocacy for foreign alliances through marriage between leaders.

Flashbacks that provide insight into Dido's past decisions.

Foreshadowing by hinting at potential reconciliation between characters.

Metaphor by comparing her situation with a natural phenomenon.

Dramatic irony through references to future events unknown to Dido.