. . . a vision . . . visited his dreams . . . in all things like to Mercury, voice and color, yellow locks, and the graceful limbs of youth: . . . "Madman, seest not the after-dangers that beset thee? Resolved on death, she is pondering in her heart fell villainy and treachery, and rousing the swirling tide of passion: . . . Anon, thou wilt see the brine a turmoil of shattered timbers, see torches flashing fierce and the strand fervent with fire, if the rays of dawn discover thee tarrying in the land. Up and go!–truce to delay. A fickle thing and changeful is woman always!" Thus he said, and mingled with the shadows of night.

In this poignant excerpt from the Aeneid, Mercury warns Aeneas not to underestimate the dangers posed by Dido’s wrath should he fail to depart. The divine messenger, embodying the attributes of youth and urgency, admonishes Aeneas to recognize the treachery lurking in the queen's once-loving heart. Mercury's admonition reflects a recurring theme in literature and mythology: the unpredictability of women. This stereotype, echoed later in various cultural expressions, serves as a catalyst for Aeneas's decision to leave. In a broader sense, the passage underscores the tension between duty and desire, as Aeneas must reconcile his personal attachments with his divine mission to establish the Roman empire. The vision thus propels the narrative and highlights the inevitable sacrifices heroes make in pursuit of their destinies.

. . . I, whom you seek, am present before you; Trojan Aeneas, snatched from the Libyan waves. O thou, who alone hast commiserated Troy's unutterable calamities! who in thy town and palace dost associate us, a remnant saved from the Greeks, who have now been worn out by woes in every shape . . . to repay thee due thanks, great queen, exceeds the power not only of us, but of all the Dardan race, wherever dispersed over the world. The gods (if any powers divine regard the pious, if justice anywhere exists, and a mind conscious of its own virtue) shall yield thee a just recompence. . . .

In this passage from Virgil's epic, The Aeneid, Aeneas expresses his profound gratitude to Dido, the Queen of Carthage, for providing sanctuary to him and his companions. He acknowledges the immense kindness she has shown by welcoming the weary Trojans into her city, despite their tragic history. Aeneas asserts that although he and his people cannot adequately repay her, divine powers—those that honor justice and virtue—will ensure she receives her due recompense. This moment underscores the themes of duty and divine justice prevalent throughout the epic. It highlights Aeneas' role as a hero whose actions are guided by virtue, and it foreshadows the eventual rewards that await those who act with integrity and compassion.

I sing of arms and the man who, fated to be an exile, was the first to come from the coasts of Troy to Italy and its shores near Lavinium, a man who was much harassed on land and sea by divine power on account of the relentless anger of savage Juno.

In this opening line of the Aeneid, Virgil succinctly sets the stage for his epic tale, signaling the dual focus on war and personal struggle. The phrase "arms and the man" not only alludes to the martial aspects of the story but also underscores the personal journey of Aeneas, the hero. This introduction mirrors the grand openings of Homer’s epics while establishing its own narrative path. Aeneas is portrayed as "fated to be an exile," immediately suggesting themes of destiny and divine intervention. His journey from Troy to Italy is not just a geographical expedition but a narrative of perseverance against divine wrath, specifically from Juno, illustrating the tension between human endeavor and the whims of gods. This prologue encapsulates the epic's scope, blending the personal with the political, as Aeneas's trials ultimately lead to the foundation of Rome.

. . . Some are hung outspread to the substanceless winds: from others the stain of guilt is washed clean under the waste of waters, or burnt away by fire. We suffer, each in his proper spirit; then are sent to the spacious plains of Elysium, where some few abide in the blissful fields; till at length the hoary ages, when time's cycle is run, purge the incarnate stain, and leave but the purified ethereal sense and the unsullied essential flame. . . .

The passage from Virgil's "Aeneid" portrays a vision of the afterlife where souls undergo purification before reaching eternal peace. Anchises, Aeneas's father, reveals that each person endures their own spiritual torment, symbolized through elements like wind, water, and fire, which cleanse the soul of its earthly impurities. These vivid images suggest a transformative process where suffering, a universal human experience, acts as a necessary precursor to spiritual enlightenment and purity in the Elysian Fields. The depiction not only reflects Roman beliefs about life after death but also reinforces the epic's overarching theme of destiny and duty, illustrating the arduous journey towards achieving one's greater purpose, as Aeneas himself must do. This enduring narrative underscores the moral framework within which Roman ideals of honor and sacrifice are forged.

"O you who are born of the blood of the gods, Trojan son of Anchises, easy is the descent to Avernus [Hell]; the door of dark Dis stands open day and night. But to retrace your steps and come out to the air above, that is work, that is labor!"

This quotation from Virgil's Aeneid encapsulates the theme of the arduous journey of life and the trials that await those who seek redemption or enlightenment. The Sibyl's words to Aeneas highlight a universal truth: descending into darkness, or facing moral and existential challenges, is comparatively easy; however, emerging from such depths requires effort and resilience. By addressing Aeneas as "born of the blood of the gods," the Sibyl acknowledges his divine heritage and potential for greatness, yet reminds him that even with such lineage, the path to fulfillment is fraught with challenges. This reflects the hero's journey motif where the protagonist must confront and overcome substantial obstacles. Virgil's emphasis on the difficulty of "retracing your steps" serves as a metaphor for the intrinsic struggles of growth and transformation that are central to the human experience.

With sad countenance and downcast eyes, Aeneas wends his way, quitting the cavern, and ponders in his mind the dark issues. At his side goes faithful Achates, and plants his steps under a like load of care. Much varied discourse were they weaving, each with each–of what dead comrade spoke the soothsayer, of what body for burial?

This passage from Virgil’s Aeneid encapsulates the profound bond between Aeneas and his loyal companion, Achates. Emerging from the Sibyl's cryptic prophecy, Aeneas is burdened with a heavy heart, as he grapples with the uncertainties of the future and the ominous news of a friend’s death. Achates mirrors Aeneas' distress, sharing in the emotional weight of the moment. Their synchronized steps and shared discourse illustrate a deep friendship underpinned by shared concerns and mutual understanding. This intimacy and trust epitomize the proverbial nature of "faithful Achates," symbolizing the ideal of unwavering loyalty. The scene underscores themes of fate and human connection, as Aeneas navigates his preordained journey not in isolation, but with steadfast companionship.

This at length performed and the service of the goddess discharged, they came to the realms of joy–the pleasant lawns of the Happy Groves, and the seats of the Blest. Here an ampler ether invests the plains in radiance, and they know their own sun and their own stars. Part by their limbs in the verdant lists and, in sportive conflect, wrestle on the yellow sand; part tread the dance and sing. . . .

In this excerpt from "The Aeneid," Virgil paints a picture of the Elysian Fields, a paradise reserved for the virtuous in the afterlife. Aeneas’s arrival symbolizes his achievement of a profound spiritual milestone. The "realms of joy" and "pleasant lawns" evoke a sense of peace and fulfillment, illustrating a utopian vision where souls bask in their own celestial light. The vivid description of those who "wrestle on the yellow sand" and "tread the dance and sing" emphasizes the bliss and vitality that characterize this eternal resting place. The passage underscores themes of destiny, reward, and the eternal glory awaiting those who fulfill their divine purpose, reflecting Rome’s idealized vision of its origins and imperial destiny.

But, lo, in the meantime came a band of Dardan shepherds, dragging to their king, amid clamorous outcry, a youth whose hands were bound behind him. A stranger, he had thrown himself of free will in their path, that he might compass this very end and leave Troy naked before Achaea. . . . Now harken to Danaan guile, and from a single crime know the nation! For, as he stood in full view, unweaponed, confused, and swept his gaze round the Phrygian lines, "Alas!" he cried, "what land, what sea, now shall give me haven? . . . I have no place amid the Greeks, and the very Trojans, no less, prove foes and cry for the penalty of blood!"

In this passage from Virgil's Aeneid, the captured youth epitomizes Greek cunning and deceit. His voluntary capture is a strategic ploy to deceive the Trojans into accepting the fateful wooden horse within their city walls. The phrase "from a single crime know the nation" underscores the idea that this singular act of treachery reveals the broader character of the Greeks. This deception leads to Troy's downfall, serving as a reminder of the perils of misplaced trust. The youth's lament highlights his predicament, caught between the Greeks, who have cast him aside, and the Trojans, who see him as a threat. This episode enriches the epic's exploration of fate and deception, painting a vivid picture of the consequences of betrayal and the tragic vulnerability of the Trojans.

. . . calling the while on Hecate, queen alike in Heaven and Hell. Others set the knife to the throat and caught the warm blood in vessels. Himself, Aeneas, smote with the sword a ewe-lamb of sable fleece to the mother of the Furies and her mighty sister, and to thee, Prosperpine, a barren heifer. Then to the Stygian king he reared altars by night and placed on the flames whole carcasses of bulls, pouring rich oil over the burning flesh. But, lo, about the first rays of the orient sun, earth began to moan under foot, and the ridges of forest to tremble, and hounds seemed to bay through the twilight as the goddess drew nigh. "Hence, O hence," cried the prophetess, "ye that are uninitiate! Withdraw ye from all the grove!" . . .

This passage from Virgil's "Aeneid" captures a dramatic moment where Aeneas, in the presence of the Sibyl, performs solemn rituals to gain entry into the underworld. The invocation of Hecate, a deity of both celestial and infernal realms, highlights the gravity and sacredness of the rites being conducted. Aeneas's sacrifices—a ewe-lamb to the Furies and a barren heifer to Proserpine—underscore the seriousness of his intent to seek guidance from his deceased father. As the earth trembles and eerie sounds fill the air, the Sibyl's command for the uninitiated to withdraw emphasizes the mystery and danger of the spiritual transition about to occur. The moment foreshadows Aeneas's descent into the underworld, marking a pivotal step in his epic journey and reflecting the ancient belief in the power and peril of divine encounters.

"O miserable citizens, what great insanity is this? Do you believe that the enemy has sailed away, or do you think that any gifts of the Greeks are free from deceit? . . . Do not trust the horse, Trojans! Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks, even though they bring gifts."

This powerful warning from Laocoön encapsulates the central theme of mistrust and deception that runs through Virgil's "Aeneid." The priest urgently cautions his fellow Trojans against the apparent generosity of the Greeks, encapsulated in the form of the wooden horse. His plea, "I fear the Greeks, even though they bring gifts," emphasizes the danger of accepting offers without skepticism, particularly from known adversaries. Unfortunately, his advice falls on deaf ears, and the Trojans' disregard leads to their catastrophic downfall. This moment in the narrative not only highlights the cleverness of the Greek strategy but also explores the tragic flaws of trust and hubris. By ignoring Laocoön's warning, the Trojans seal their fate, demonstrating how a single oversight can lead to the undoing of an entire civilization. Virgil uses this episode to underscore the vulnerability inherent in naivety and the perils of misjudging one's enemies.

. . . In no wise am I dismayed by those divine oracles of doom that the Phrygians insolently advance. Fate and Venus are satisfied, in that the Trojans have touched our fruitful Ausonian fields. I too have my destiny against theirs, to put utterly to the sword the guilty nation who have robbed me of my bride; not the sons of Atreus alone feel that pain, nor may Mycenae alone take arms. But to have perished once is enough! . . .

In this passage from Virgil's Aeneid, Turnus, the rival of Aeneas and Lavinia's suitor, expresses his defiance in the face of prophesied defeat. His words "But to have perished once is enough!" resonate with a deep sense of finality and determination. Turnus acknowledges his fate yet refuses to be cowed by it, demonstrating a warrior's resolve to fight for his love and honor, despite the ominous prophecies. This proclamation reflects a central theme of the Aeneid: the struggle between personal desires and the inexorable force of destiny. Virgil effectively uses Turnus's declaration to highlight the tragedy of doomed heroism, as Turnus fights against both fate and his own inevitable demise, embodying the human spirit's resistance against insurmountable odds.

. . . He stayed his foot, and, "Achates," he cried, "is there any place, is there any land of all the lands, that is not yet rife with our tale of sorrow? Lo, here is Priam! Even here, virtue hath her rewards, and mortality her tears: even here, the woes of man touch the heart of man! Dispel thy fears; this fame of ours is herald to some salvation!" He said, and sated his soul with the barren portraiture; and oft he sighed, and his cheeks were wet with the welling flood. . . .

In this poignant moment, Aeneas is struck by the depiction of the Trojan War on the walls of Carthage. Seeing the familiar scenes, he realizes that the struggles and grief he has endured are recognized even in a foreign land. His exclamation captures the universality of human suffering, suggesting that tales of misfortune transcend borders and cultures. The presence of Priam, the fallen Trojan king, serves as a reminder of the shared human experience of loss and valor. Aeneas's reflection that "even here, the woes of man touch the heart of man" underscores a commonality of empathy and compassion across humanity. This realization offers a glimmer of hope, as he believes their shared fame and suffering could lead to eventual salvation, reinforcing the themes of fate and perseverance that are central to the epic.