Briefly explore the conflict between Pietas and Furor in Virgil's Aeneid

Aeneas is an emblem of pietas, the duty to one's state, family and gods. Yet there is not a neat divide between pietas and its antithesis furor, uncontrollable emotion. In The Aeneid, and Aeneas' journey, the conflict between these two ideals, between personal feelings and duty to others, between cosmic compulsion and individual choice, is ever prevalent, and is particularly at conflict within Aeneas himself. He is a man 'pietate insignis et armis', yet demonstrates behavior of a furoric nature. This is evident in his relationship with Dido and his brutal slaughter of the subjugated Turnus. His killing of Turnus is sparked by the dictates of pietas, as he is avenging his friend Pallas, yet the deed is ultimately an act of revenge. The conflict between the two ideals can ultimately be seen as a reflection on Augustan ideals, and perhaps even questions the 'pietas' of the emperor Augustus himself, who has many parallels with Aeneas himself.

Answered by Poppy B. Latin tutor

8576 Views

See similar Latin A Level tutors

Related Latin A Level answers

All answers ▸

What can I do to get a better mark in translation?


To what extent is Dido a sympathetic character in Aeneid 4?


How do you form an indirect statement in Latin?


I've been studying Latin for years now, but I still struggle with the unseen prose paper. What can I do?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences