Aeneas as a lover

• subject matter of bk 4 is a relationship
• might expect to see Aeneas' emotions
• Virgil gives us the thoughts and words of Dido, not Aeneas
• Aeneas' first reaction to Mercury's message is to hesitate and wonder 'what words dare he use to approach the queen in all her passion?'
• she senses his deception, and attacks him first
• his defence is a poor excuse: 'it was never my intention to be deceitful or run away without your knowing'
• he claims that he has never offered her marriage or entered into any contract with her
• Virgil has not given us any indication of Aeneas' thoughts in bk 4
• in no position to refute what he says
• is he a hero putting duty about affection, or a heartless and fickle lover?
• his words to the silent Dido in bk 6 perhaps begin to answer those questions