Lines 774 - 775 Notes

Question 1

obstipui

Answer 1

early caesura reflects how Aeneas is cut off abruptly in the middle of his actions by the sheer shock of what he sees.

Question 2

comae, vox

Answer 2

Virgil describes the physical symptoms of shock, as the hairs stand up on Aeneas’ skin and his voice gets stuck in his throat. Aeneas is a super confident and rousing speech maker (see his address to his troops in Book 11 for example), so losing the ability to speak is a significant reaction.

Question 3

adfari, demere

Answer 3

these are infinitives acting as main verbs. They are noticeable, and have a blunter, more direct force, than a normal main verb.

Question 4

Creusa shows Pietas

Answer 4

She tries to take away his worries and this is very considerate, showing that Creusa is an example of Pietas just like Aeneas. See the statue ‘Pieta’ by Michelangelo.