Posted by Heidee, HON 201 on November 04, 1998 at 12:40:05:
I am not convinced that Aeneas and Dido LOVED each other with the intensity that readers claim. The two spent too little time together to develop a true love. Also, the interest in each other was almost immediate. True love takes time to develop. Dido and Aeneas were merely lustful for each other. Both were in a vulnerable position, having lost their spouses; both were anxious for new affection, and found the other suitable. Attraction between both was strong, because of their similarities. In the text, pion between the two is obvious. However, I think this lustful pion is mislabeled as love. More appropriately, I would call it an obsession fed by the gods. This idea of obsession would certainly explain Dido's suicide.