Nisus and Euryalus

• their youth


  perhaps the tragedy is that, like Pallas and Lausus, and even Turnus, they are too young and inexperienced for war
• their violent killing 


  they seem to take pleasure in slaughter
• their lack of piety 


  Euryalus, like Turnus, is betrayed by the trophies he takes. Such spoils should be dedicated to the gods
• the power of love 


  Nisus chooses to die for his friend
• their thirst for kleos 


  this is Nisus' reason for volunteering
• their failed mission 


  unlike Aeneas, or like him, they lose sight of their mission
• the beauty of the description of the death of Euryalus
• being an example of men who are free to act, and bring about their own downfall through their own self-indulgence and greed