Aeneid IV

Throughout Book Four of the Aeneid, the evolution of the epic's plot revolves around the relationship between Dido and Aeneas. Aeneas comes to Carthage, and Queen Dido is extremely infatuated with him as soon as she sees him. Book 4 is set off with our first passage from lines 20-29 in which the audience gets a sense of Dido's overwhelming love for Aeneas. As the book continues, Aeneas finds himself in a difficult position as Dido thinks they are married, but he is to leave Carthage in order to pursue his destiny. Ultimately, Dido feels betrayed and rejected, and she consequently decides to continually condemn Aeneas in lines 320-330.

Initially, Book 4 is introduced with a happy tone, and Dido has now found her new love. After she has taken a vow to not marry again as a result of her former husband's death, she considers breaking the eternal promise when she meets Aeneas. Lines 20-29 begin with