Aeneas and Turnus

• Is Turnus a good man?

  Misled by Juno & a genuine but mistaken belief in counter-fate?
• Aeneas


  • Public and social virtues; controlled strength: fights because he must words associated with him: devotion to duty, justice, pietas; cares primarily for others; moderation and statesman-like attitude
• Aeneas


  • Aeneas is the divine man who combines virtus with humanitas
• Turnus


  • Final act of partial repentance and sacrifice can't wipe out his predominant role in whole epic - truly tragic character who can only buy honour with death
• What Turnus does in book 12

  1. He has abandoned his men by allowing Juturna to drive him far away in chariot and only returns when he realises he is compromising his honour

  2. He still talks in terms of 'furor'

  3. Compared to avalanche: reps his disintegrating personality and self-destroying energy. His actions are compulsive

  4. Compared with a bull; strong heroic character

  5. Panic stricken flight after sword breaks

  6. Simile of trapped stag

  7. Afraid when Aeneas tries to loosen spear

  8. Dignified in response to Aeneas' taunts

  9. Dignified and well-reasoned argument for mercy: accepts defeat and its consequences

  10. He wears Pallas' belt, a symbol of his violence and 'furor' which counters his apparent humility
• Virgil wants to depict Turnus as a true hero, however violent or furious he might otherwise be- therefore important that he voluntarily accepts his fate
• Turnus


  • Personal prowess: Irresponsible individuality; strength without wisdom; fights for own glory and reputation: words associated with him: bold, wild, proud, furor, violence, self-confidence; cares primarily for self; Impetuous passion
• Aeneas is still a man who can take vengeance in blood and can be driven to ferocity by reminder of Pallas, but this is also evidence of his pietas - deep sympathy for defeated heroism and death of noble young (cf Lausus in Book 10)
• Aeneas can take vengeance in blood and can be driven to ferocity by reminder of Pallas
• Turnus' furor is selfish and destructive


  It is what stops Aeneas from sparing him
• Aeneas is determined, eager for final showdown
• Aeneas


  • Combines virtus with humanitas
  • Cares primarily for others
  • Moderation and statesman-like attitude
• Aeneas represents a new idea in history
• Aeneas is roused to 'furor' by seeing Pallas' belt
• Aeneas is compassionate and begins to be moved by Turnus' speech
• Aeneas' anger can be seen as righteous anger

  Avenging a wronged friend
• Aeneas is the divine man
• Aeneas believes that violence and arrogance can be controlled, just rule can be established, and universal peace can be a fact
• What Aeneas does in book 12

  1. Compared to snow-capped mountains: cool, strong

  2. Compared to a bull

  3. Wounded but has a dogged and determined pursuit of Turnus

  4. Simile: the hunting dog

  5. Active attempt to free spear by own efforts

  6. Determined, eager for final showdown

  7. Compassionate, begins to be moved by Turnus' speech

  8. Roused to 'furor' by seeing Pallas' belt
• Aeneas has deep sympathy for defeated heroism and death of noble young