Friday, October 24, 2008

Pensum Tertium

Consider what we have read, thus far, of Aeneas' account of the downfall of Troy through line 249. Does Aeneas become emotionally involved the the retelling itself, or does he remain the objective observer in his account? Take a position and defend it with evidence from the text, remembering always to cite the text in Latin, translate it, and give analysis of your stated position based on the evidence.

Due to the comments moderation box by Monday evening at 10:30, October 27, 2009.

13 comments:

Hedrick413 said...

Aeneas, by and large, remains emotionally detached in retelling his tale, but he does begin with a very intense moment. “quis talia fando Myrmidonum Dolopumue aut duri miles Vlixi temperet a lacrimis?” (Aeneid II.6-8) He asks 'In telling such a story, what Myrmidon, Dolopian, or fierce warrior of Ulysses could keep from crying?' In this first instance Aeneas admits to crying (or at least being on the verge of tears) as he begins to tell his story.
The poignant piece of evidence that really shows just how much Aeneas has been able to detach himself from the event (a thing that many people who live through tragic events do) occurs from lines 54 to 56. “et, si fata deum, si mens non laeua fuisset, impulerat ferro Argolicas foedare latebras, Troiaque nunc staret, Priamique arx alta maneres.” (Aeneid II.54-56) 'And, if the gods' fate and our minds had not been ill-fated, he would have incited us to ruin with steel the hiding place of the Greeks: Troy now would stand, and the high fortress of Priam would remain.' Aeneas here speaks of what happened as an inevitability, something that makes him sad, yes, but not something worth becoming obsessed with. He decrees that if Troy had been meant to stand, the Greek plot would have been exposed and Priam would still remain in power, showing just how detached from the tragedy Aeneas really is.

Unknown said...

In the second book of the Aeneid, Aeneas recalls his horrible last moments in Troy. As he recounts his tale, it is evident that Aeneas becomes emotionally involved. For example, in lines 10 to 13: “Sed si tantus amor casus cognoscere nostros et breviter Troiae supremum audire laborem,
quamquam animus meminisse horret luctuque refugit, incipiam.” This translates “But if so great a desire to learn of our misfortune and to hear briefly the final suffering of Troy, although my mind shudders to recall and recoils in sorrow, I shall begin.” This passage shows that Aeneas is still fairly emotional about the fall of Troy. He says that just recalling the events cause his mind to shudder and recoil.
This is also apparent in lines 201 to 204: “Laocoon, ductus Neptuno sorte sacerdos, sollemnis taurum ingentem mactabat ad aras. Ecce autem gemini a Tenedo tranquilla per alta - horresco referens! – immensis orbibus angues incumbent pelage pariterque ad litora tendunt.” These lines mean “Laocoon, a priest drawn for Neptune by lot, a huge bull stained near the sacred altars. Behold, however, twin snakes from Tenedos through the tranquil deep – I shudder recalling this – with immense coils lie upon the sea and slither equally towards the shore.” As Aeneas retells the tale of Laocoon, he grows emotional. Aeneas shows that he is afraid as well as horrified by what happened to Laocoon when he says that he shudders as he recalls the memory.
Finally an example of Aeneas expressing emotion is in lines 248 to 249; “nos delubra deum miseri, quibus ultimus esset ille dies, festa velamus fronde per urbem.” These lines translate “We miserable ones the shrines of the gods, for whom it is the final day, cover with festive garlands through the city.” These lines show that Aeneas feels sympathetic for the Trojans when he calls them the miserable ones. As Aeneas recounts the fall of Troy, he shows a great deal of emotion. He shows that he was scared by the ordeal with the snakes, horrified by the fate of Laocoon, and that he is sympathetic towards the Trojans.

Vague Sanity said...

At the very commencing of Book II of Vergil’s Aeneid, the reader is presented with the scene that leads into Aeneas’s retelling of ‘supremum laborem Troiae’ or ‘the final suffering of Troy’. Thus, from the first response he gives to Dido’s request to have him recount such events, it is apparent that Aeneas feels a near overwhelming amount of emotions about the fall of Troy. Through the construction of the subsequent lines of text (2.6-56; 2.199-249), Vergil successfully portrays the emotional attachment Aeneas has to the events he recounts. Clearly, Aeneas is much more than an objective observer in his account of Troy’s downfall.
The seriousness of Aeneas’s account of the events that led to Troy’s downfall is transparently displayed by not only the reactions of the Carthaginian’s, but also in Aeneas’s short speech before he recounts the events. Consider first lines 1-13 (omitting parts of lines 8 and 9 - yes this is a large section to consider, but it is essential evidence of Aeneas’s emotional involvement in his retelling): ‘Conticuere omnes intentique ora tenebant inde toro pater Aeneas sic orsus ab alto: Infandum, regina, iubes renouare dolorem, Troianas ut opes et lamentabile regnum eruerint Danai, quaeque ipse miserrima uidi et quorum pars magna fui. quis talia fando Myrmidonum Dolopumue aut duri miles Ulixi temperet a lacrimis? sed si tantus amor casus cognoscere nostros et breuiter Troiae supremum audire laborem, quamquam animus meminisse horret luctuque refugit, incipiam’ or ‘Eagerly all fell silent and turned (their) faces and then father Aeneas, having risen from the couch, (spoke) thus: You, o queen, order me to renew the unspeakable sufferings, of how the Greeks completely destroyed the Trojan resources and eternally mourned kingdom, and which I saw most miserable things myself and of which I was a great part. Who of the Myrmidon, or Dolopian, or soldier of harsh Ulysses, by speaking such things could keep from tears? But if so great is the desire to learn of our disasters and to briefly hear of the final suffering of Troy, although my mind shudders to recall and draws back in sorrow, I shall begin’; here Aeneas reflects his emotions towards the events of Troy through the simple phrases ‘infandum dolorem’ or ‘unspeakable sufferings’, ‘lamentabile regnum’ or ‘the forever mourned kingdom’, ‘supremum laborem Troiae’ or ‘the final suffering of Troy’, and ‘animus luctu refugit’ or ‘the mind draws back in sorrow’. The prevailing idea in each phrase appears to be sorrow and suffering, putting emphasis on the idea that these events are not something easily recalled, and when recalled would bring even the warriors of harsh Ulysses to tears. However, even though Aeneas explains that such events cause his mind to shudder and recoil in such sorrow, he continues on. Although this seems to portray Aeneas as eager to recount these events, the reader must not be fooled into this misconception and thus be led to believe that Aeneas is taking an objective, observant position on the recounting of these events. Aeneas is not recounting such events because he wishes to, but because he must. Having survived, it has become Aeneas’s duty to recount the fall of Troy (and in turn the Carthaginians’ duty to likewise pass on these events), even if it means he must endure emotional suffering to do so.
Through lines 14-24 Aeneas establishes the setting for the fall of Troy, and describes the Greek construction of the great horse. Aeneas’s own emotions are again viewed in lines 25-28, ‘nos abiisse rati et uento petiisse Mycenas. ergo omnis longo soluit se Teucria luctu; panduntur portae, iuuat ire et Dorica castra desertosque uidere locos litusque relictum’ or ‘We thought they had left and had headed for Mycenae by the wind. Therefore, all of Troy freed itself of the long sorrows; the gates are thrown open; it is pleasant to go and to see the camps of the Greeks and the deserted places and the deserted shore’; although this is at first seen as primarily a description of the Trojan’s emotions of the suspected Greek desertion, because Aeneas is part of the Trojan race, he clearly shares these emotions (this is also seen through his use of ‘nos’ or ‘we’ here). He is Trojan, and thus through the retelling feels the same relief as they do - he is expressing his emotions and recalling them as he recalls each event; an example of this is again expressed in line 31, ‘donum exitiale’ or ‘the fatal gift’ and in line 34, ‘seu iam Troiae sic fata ferebant’, literally ‘or whether already thus the fates of Troy were heading’, and in lines 54-56, ‘et, si fata deum, si mens non laeua fuisset, impulerat ferro Argolicas foedare latebras, Troiaque nunc staret, Priamique arx alta maneres’ or ‘and, if had not been the fate and the minds of the Gods ill-omened, he would have driven to befoul with swords the Greek hiding places, and Troy would be standing now, and the high citadel of Priam, you would remain’; obviously, Aeneas feels that much of this happened by fate, and thus his emotions change these aspects of the story (and his description of certain aspects of the story). He speculates on what could have been done to save Troy from its downfall in lines 54-56, perhaps expressing his reluctance to accept the events that passed.
In the final section recently covered (2.199-249), similar instances occur where Aeneas uses ‘our’ and ‘we’, which perhaps expresses the fact that the emotions and events are being shared between him and his Trojan comrades. A notable instance of Aeneas directly expressing his emotions is in line 204, ‘horresco referens’ or ‘I shudder to tell this’. In line 234, ‘dividimus muros et moenia pandimus urbis’ or ‘we divided the walls and we opened the gates of the city’, Aeneas clearly shows he took part in the events that led to the fall of Troy and perhaps feels in some part responsible for said fall. Again in lines 241-242, ‘o patria, o diuum domus Ilium et incluta bello moenia Dardanidum!’ or ‘O my country, oh Ilium house of Gods, and you, Trojan walls famous in war!’ Aeneas interrupts the retelling to express his distraught state. And then finally, in line 248-249, ‘nos…miseri, quibus ultimus esset ille dies’ or ‘we wretched ones, for whom that day is our last’, the beginning of the end for Troy arises. Note how Aeneas uses ‘our’ even in this expression of the doom of Troy. It seems, in part, that Aeneas may have died with his beloved ones and his beloved Troy.
Undoubtedly, it is apparent that throughout his narration Aeneas reveals his sorrow and anguish repeatedly. He continuously ties his emotions to those who fell with Troy. In many ways, his emotions shift with those of the people recounted in these events. Aeneas certainly does not simply play the role of an objective observer. Had the story been the downfall of any other race, it could be argued that Aeneas was simply an objective observer. However, Aeneas is a Trojan. He is retelling the downfall of his own race, his own family. To not feel some emotion in this retelling would be almost inhuman; Aeneas is definitely human, and thus, it is inevitable that he feels the same emotions he had when the events occurred – even if the emotions he feels are merely ghosts of what he felt in the past, he will always be emotionally tied to the events that led to the destruction of Ilium.

James_H said...

Vergil's Aeneid Book II is mainly about Aeneas retelling the fateful end of Troy to Dido. The retelling by Aeneas is, however, not completely objective. Most of the times, Aeneas' tone is objective, but he becomes emotionally involved as he goes through how the Greeks deceived Troy to win the war. His emotional voices are found in lines 6-8, lines 203-205, and lines 241-242 in Book II.
Lines 6-8 are like this, 'quis talia fando Myrmidonum Dolopumue aut duri miles Vlixi temperet a lacrimis?' These lines are translated as this, 'Who, by telling such things, of Myrmidons and Dolopes, or harsh soldier of Ulysses could refrain from tears?' At this point, Aeneas has not started retelling yet, but he remembers the fate of Troy and foretells that it is going to be a sad story to tell. Myrmidons and Dolopes were the Greek armies led by Achilles, and his statement that even those armies and Ulyesses' harsh soldier wouldn't be able to refrain themselves from tears clearly shows how sad this story is and how Aeneas gets emotional.
Also, line 204, '(horresco referens)', means 'I shudder relating this'. Here, this random phrase that pops up in the middle of the description of two snakes demonstrates how Aeneas' memory of this is a great horror to him. Since Aeneas finds out what happens when the people didn't listen to Laocoon and how the two serpents dreadfully kill Laocoon to keep his mouth shut, Aeneas shudders with fear when he describes this scene.
Lastly, lines 241-242, 'o patria, o diuum domus Ilium et incluta bello moenia Dardanidum!', which are translated as 'Oh, country, Oh Troy house of gods, Trojan walls renowned for war!' also show Aeneas' emotions while retelling the story. He just breaks into this sad lamentation when he is talking about the horse going into the city. Aeneas grows furious because he knows what the horse did to Troy, and that knowledge makes him to say these words.
Throughout most of his retelling of fall of Troy so far, Aeneas remains calm and objective for the most of times. However, he does get emotional at critical points such as the murder of Laocoon and the entering of the wooden horse into the walls of Troy. Vergil's uses of these emotional language well serve as means of giving the sense of real story telling in the view point of the one who experienced it all to the readers.

hope2 said...

Aeneas is emotionally involved in his tale of the downfall of Troy from the beginning; he starts by telling the queen what his retelling will put him through: "infandum, regina, iubes renovare dolorem" or "queen, you bid me to renew unspeakable grief" (3) and "animus meminisse horret luctuque refugit" or "my mind shudders to have remembered and recoils in grief" (12).
His subsequent account reflects his mental state and horror at what occured. He uses ominous foreshadowing to contrast the people's happiness about the horse, showing that he cannot speak of it in a positive light even for the sake of suspense or accuracy to the emotions of the scene. In line 31, for example, he refers to the horse as "innuptae donum exitiale Minervae" or "the fatal gift of virgin Minerva."
Aeneas also shows his emotional involvement through direct interjections and apostrophe. For example, describing the approach of the snakes that killed Laocoon and his sons, he interjects "horresco referens!" or "I shudder recalling" (204), unable to restrain his anguished comment. He also frequently cries out to Troy, lamenting its fate. He contemplates the outcome if the people had listened to Laocoon's warning, saying that "Priamique arx alta maneres" or "you, high citadel of Priam, would remain" (56). As he describes the horse being brought in, Aeneas cries out, "O patria, o divum domus Ilium et incluta bello moenia Dardanidum" or "O fatherland, o house of the gods of Ilium and Trojan walls, famous in war" (241-242). His apostrophes are not only a manifestation of his anguish but also show how real Troy becomes to him during the story, so that he feels that he can talk to it and mourn with it.
Thus Aeneas, using direct statements, foreshadowing, interjections, and apostrophes, demonstrates his emotional involvement with the story he tells and thereby adds depth and interest to the story.

Unknown said...

The retelling of the downfall of Troy by Aeneas seems to be a key moment that even Aeneas himself cannot recall without feeling some emotion. The distruction of his city this homeland that he so cherished may have caused him to become biased in his telling of the tale.
One of the things that stood out the most was in Aeneas' description of the horse. The describing the horse as: fatalis machina ...feta armis(237-238). The deadly machine pregnant with weapons. The tone created by this particular choice of words causes Aeneas' biases to stand out, the way he feels about the Greeks shows up in his retelling.
Another section that seems to convey an emotional bias is when the Trojans decide to let in the horse.Vergil uses the two words tremefacta(161) and pavor(161) using interlocked word order(Lafleur 160) to describe the Trojans trembling with fear. And it is in this fearful state that they accept this gift that will destroy them, but it seems that we as readers are meant to believe that if they weren't afraid that the horse wouldn't have been their downfall.
The telling if Troy's downfall by Aeneas up to line 249 definately appears biased. Not because it is intentionally done to change the outcome, but because Aeneas is so emotionally vested in the city, his home. So his bias in the telling of the destruction of his homeland is not only acceptable, but expected as well.

Timmy said...

Vergil details the gravity of Aeneas' retelling of the fall of Troy from the very beginning of Book II. The first lines begin “Conticuere omnes intentique ora tenebant / inde toro pater Aeneas sic orsus ab alto:” meaning “All became silent, and eager were turning their faces, and then father Aeneas having risen from the high couch thus began.” The whole room hushed for him to tell his terrible story. Aeneas describes how difficult it is for him to narrate this story in line 6-8 when he says “quis talia fando / Myrmidonum Dolopumue aut duri miles Ulixi / temperet a lacrimis?” which means “who of the Myrmidons or of the Dolopians, or warrior of brave Ulysses, could refrain from tears by telling such a story?” Oddly enough, he continues describing the fall of Troy fairly objectively, but there is a constant sense of despair because of how he tells of how clueless the Trojans were of the attack. Aeneas does not display and real emotions until near the end of the passage when he begins to despair. In line 249 he describes their oncoming doom by saying “nos delubra deum miseri, quibus ultimus esset / ille dies, festa uelamus fronde per urbem.” meaning “we miserable ones, for whom that day was our last, clothe the temples of the gods throughout the city with festal boughs.” He again describes the Trojans as innocent and unknowing, filling the listener with pity for the soon-to-be victims. Although Aeneas does not clearly bias the story he tells, the gravity of the setting and the constant foreknowledge of the Trojans' fall makes the whole story emotionally charged. The simple fact that Aeneas is the one telling the story fills the story with feeling and pain.

KyleP said...

Aeneas, being the fated Trojan founder of "New Troy", obviously has emotional connections to his fatherland (patria). Not only does he become nostalgic towards Troy itself, he becomes increasing emotional discussing the fall of Troy, and more specifically the – in his opinion – foolishness that allowed his homeland to be destroyed.
In the beginning of Aeneas' retelling of the events, Vergil makes it clear to the reader that Aeneas is disturbed by these things: In lines 5-6 it reads "...quaeque ipse miserrima vidi/ et quorum pars magna fui." which can be translated "and which I saw the most terrible things and of which I was a great part." Aeneas is describing how that not only did he witness these terrible things, but that he was actively involved in them. Later, in lines 11-12 it reads "quamquam animus meminisse horret luctuque refugit/ incipiam..."
which can be translated "although my mind shudders to remember [this] and recoils in sorrow, I shall begin..." This directly describes Aeneas deep emotional connection that is made even from just retelling the events to others. Finally, in line 204, Aeneas once again states how hard it is for him to retell this shameful fall of Troy: "horresco referens"
which can be translated "I tremble mentioning this." Aeneas could certainly use these emotional stirrings as motivational to continue on his journey to find the "New Troy". Through the use of Aeneas' dialog, Vergil wants the reader to also become emotionally involved with Troy so that the reader will root for Aeneas throughout the rest of the epic.

anqi2 said...

Aeneas remains mostly objective throughout this section. In my opinion, the only place he really lets his emotions be apparent is in the first few lines of Book II. Throughout most of the rest of the section, he is just acting as a casual observer who says, "Hey, look. A big, wooden horse."

In the beginning of the section, Aeneas is talking to Dido, who asked for a retelling of the fall of Troy. He says "iubes renovare dolorem" (Line 3: you order me to renew sadness) and uses sad words such as "lamentabile" (Line 4: lamentable) and "miserrima" (Line 5: most wretched). To me, the best modifier of Aeneas' grief is "quis talia fando Myrmidonum Dolopumve aut duri miles Ulixi temperet a lacrimis" (Line 6-8: Who of the Myrmidons or the Dolopians or the harsd soldier of Ulysses can attempt by speaking such things without tears?) This is a great comparison that tells of the sadness accompanied with the retelling of this story. The concentration of the sad words in these lines clearly describe how emotional Aeneas is about the fall of Troy, but as he shifts to the actual story, he becomes completely objective.

For the rest of the section, his objectivity is apparent in the verbs used. Take the section describing Laocoon and the serpents. There is a heavy concentration of 3rd person verbs, with exceptions to clauses Aeneas uses to tell of his own feelings which are similar to everyone elses'. From the beginning of the Laocoon section from 199-249, the dominant form of the verb is 3rd person present indicative such as "turbat" (Line 199: disturbs), "mactabat" (Line 202: was sacrificed), etc. The 3rd person form sets Aeneas' emotions apart form the story while the present form is accepted literary style.

Aeneas' emotions do not play a huge role in his account of the fall of Troy. Despite the fact he does tell of the immense sadness and grief associated with the story, he continues to tell the story. He does not even remind the reader of the sadness involved with it. Obviously, if Aeneas is able to retell the story without crying (like in the beginning lines of the section), he is not allowing his emotions to interfere with the story, making it completely objective.

jane said...

In the beginning of Vergil's Aeneid, Aeneas' fate is laid out by the gods. The beginning is full of unfortunate events for Aeneas and his comrades, yet because these events are told by the gods Aeneas is less emotionally present. As Vergil eases into Book II of the Aeneid, he seems to change hish focus onto Aeneas himself. Aeneas is clearly emotionally involved in the retelling of the downfall of Troy. One piece of evidence that shows Aeneas' wholehearted truth is in Book II lines 3-8: "Infandum, regina, iubes renovare dolorem, Troianas ut opes et lamentabile regnum eruerint Danai, quaeque ipse miserrima vidi..." Lines 3-5 is translated as: " O Queen, you order to renew the unspeakable suffering of how the Greeks utterly destroyed the Trojan power and the kingdom forever mourned and which I myself saw the wretched things..." The words 'lamentabile' and 'miserrima' emphsize Aeneas' sadness. It is apparent that Vergil starts Book II of the Aeneid with this scene of Aeneas lamenting about the fall of Troy to Dido in order to guide the reader to the shifted focus. Another evident sign of Aeneas' sad retelling of the story is shown in line 42 when the Trojan priest Laocoon warns his citizens. Line 42 says, "O miseri, quae tanta insania, cives?" which is translated as "O wretched citizens what madness is so great?" I trust that Vergil emphasized thi warning to show the reader that the fall of Troy was greater because of the warning that was given. If the warning was not present in Aeneas' retelling of Troy's fall, the less of an impact Troy would have had, which would have resulted in a less emotional account from Aeneas. Aeneas continues to tell about the miserable event and the intense drama continues, which tells the reader that Aeneas is very emotionally involved so far in Book II of the Aeneid.

Yayu2 said...

From what we have read thus far of Book II, I conclude that Aeneas does become emotionally involved with retelling the story. How can he remain the objective observer when he is part of the story? To be an objective observer, he has to be someone who does not try to use words to bias against the either side; however, in the text, he frequently uses adjectives to portray the Greeks as evil while showing the Trojans in a good light.
Aeneas's first line is "Infandum, regina, iubes renovare dolorem." (line 3) (sorrow, o queen, unspeakable sorrow you ask me to bring to life once more). He was already getting emotional because he admitted that the tale was so sorrowful that he can barely retell it. He then goes on to say that he played a role in the tragedy. "quaeque ipse miserrima vidi et quorum pars magna fui." (lines 5-6) (What horrors I saw, a tragedy where I played a large part myself). Aeneas continuously used words like horret(shudder) and luctu(grief) to describe the fate of Troy while saying the horse that the Greeks built was a "uterumque armato milite complent" (line 20) (Monster's womb is packed with soldiery equipped with weapons." Vergil is trying to convey the illusion that the beast's womb is metaphorically pregnant with violence and war. Since all the events have already happened, Aeneas told the story in a way that caused others to pity the Trojans. He kept on emphasizing the point that the Trojans were innocent people who got tricked.
He then told how there were two people who tried to warn the Trojans that the horse was a bad omen. Unfortunately, no one listened. When Laocoon was eaten alive by twin snakes, people were pretty sure that the horse was supposed to be taken care of. In lines 199-200, Vergil said "Hic aliud maius miseris multoque tremendum obicitur magis atque improvida pectore turbat." (Yet now another portent is put before our miserable people, a greater omen, far more terrible, shakes our senses.) Aeneas was showing so much sympathy and care for his city. He told the tragic fate of Laocoon and how many people thought he deserved it. Aeneas showed his sorrow when he made the point that he wished people had listened to Laocoon. In lines 242-345, Aeneas said, "Quater ipso in limine portae substitit atque utero sonitum quater arma dedere; instamus tamen immemores caecique furore et monstrum infelix sacrata sistimus arce." (Four times it stopped short at the threshold of the gates, four times the armor sound out from its womb. But we pressed ahead, unmindful, blind, mad, we set the inauspicious monster on the consecrate heights of Troy). Aeneas was clearly stating his input on how the Trojans just ignored the obvious signs of misfortune and placed the horse into the city.
Aeneas's story cannot be objective because he is not omniscient. He only sees it from the Trojans' point of view. Also, because of the magnitude of the horror that occurred, Aeneas characterizes the Greeks as savages that use trickery to defeat the Trojans. He keep on stating how it was a tragedy for Troy and how they were deceived. He never mentions how wonderful it was for the Greeks to achieve their victory. The text has shown that Aeneas is indeed emotional. He had trouble starting the tale because of the horrible events that occurred. If he was an objective observer, he would characterize both sides with the same attitude instead of trying to make one side seem like the victim.

aimee said...

Aeneas does become emotionally involved in the retelling of the story. Lines three through thirteen in Book Two are about how sad and depressed the tale makes him feel.
[2-8] Infandum, regina, iubes renovare dolorem, Troianas ut opes et lamentabile regnum eruerint Danai, quaeque ipse miserrima vidi et quorum pars magna fui. Quis talia fando Myrmidonum Dolopumve aut duri miles Ulixi temperet a lacrimis? [10-13] Sed si tantus amor casus cognoscere nostros et brevier Troiae supremum audire laborem, quamquam animus meminisse horret luctuque refugit, incipiam.
[2-8] You order me to renew unspeakable suffering, oh Queen, how Greek power utterly destroyed the forever mourned Trojan kingdom, and which I saw, myself, most wretched things and of which I was a great part. Who, by speaking such things of the Myrmidons, of Dolopes, or of harsh Ulysses’ soldiers, could refrain from tears? …
[10-13] But if you have so great a desire to learn of our disasters and to hear briefly of Troy’s final suffering; although my mind shudders to recall and in sorrow recoils, I shall begin.
Several times in the above passage Aeneas mentions his sorrow: unspeakable suffering, forever mourned, most wretched things, refrain from tears, my mind shudders to recall and in sorrow recoils. The burden of carrying around the fact that his once powerful city is now in ruins and in the hands of his enemies. There is no doubt that at one point Aeneas has broken down in tears. He has good reason too; his home, his pride and joy is gone. His city has been burnt down and taken over. He had to still his gods back for Greek hands. This is how he begins the book, so in away Aeneas is foreshadowing the mood of the rest of the book.
Aeneas’ emotional involvement does not just include sadness it also includes his terror.
[199-200] Hic aliud maius miseris multoque tremendum obicitur magis atque improvida pectora turbat.
Here another greater wretched ones and much more horrifying thing is presented and disturbs trembling hearts.
[204] horresco referens!
I shutter relating to this!
[212] Diffugimus visu exsangues.
Pale we fled from the sight.
Here are three different examples of the fear Aeneas has and has no shame admitting it. I think they are self explanatory. The sights he sees scare him tremendously, so much so that at one point all the blood leaves his face.
Aeneas is not a robot. He has emotions and includes them in his retelling of this story.

pranav2 said...

In the beginning of Book II, Aeneas is asked by Dido to tell the story of the defeat of Troy by the Greeks. Although he seems to be telling the story accurately, he does reveal his emotions while speaking. It is clear in certain parts of the story that he is full of grief when he remembers what all took place.
At the very beginning of this book, when Dido asks Aeneas to tell the story, he responds: “Infandum, regina, iubes renovare dolorem… quis talia fando Myrmidonum Dolopumve aut duri miles Ulixi temperet a lacrimis?” This is translated as, “Queen, you order me to retell an unspeakable grief… what soldier of the the Myrmidons or Dolopians or of harsh Ulysses can restrain from tears in speaking such things?” Even before Aeneas begins telling the story he is overcome with grief. He is sad even when the fall of Troy is mentioned. He says that the story will be very hard for him to retell, because he will become emotional. However, he obeys Dido’s orders and begins the narration.
During his retelling, Aeneas sometimes adds his own commentary because he can now look back on everything that happened. In lines 54-56 he exclaims, “Et, si fata deum, si mens non leava fuisset, impulerat ferro Argolicas foedare latebras, Troiaque nunc staret, Priamique arx alta maneres.” The translation for this segment is, “ And, , if (our) mind(s) had not been ill-omened, if the fates of the gods had compelled (us) to wound the Greek hiding place with iron, Troy would now stand, and you, the high citadel of Priam, would remain.” This is just after Lacoon warns the other Trojans that the horse is most likely a Greek trick. However, nobody believes him and the Greeks remain safe. Here Aeneas comments on the ignorance of the Trojans, including himself. He remarks that the city might still be standing had they listened to the few who saw the trick for what it was. Also, his emotion is shown by the way he directly addresses the citadel of Priam. It shows his strong connections to his city and the sadness he felt when Troy fell.
Another instance where Aeneas reveals his emotions is in lines 199-200: “Hic aliud maius miseris multoque tremendum obicitur magis atque improvida pectora turbat.” This means, “Here another greater horrible thing is thrown on more wretched ones and troubles the improvident hearts.” Here again Aeneas speaks with sadness about hwath appened to Troy. He describes the Trojans as wretched people showing that they now have nothing left since their city is gone. He is deeply distressed while telling this segment of the story.
While Aeneas is telling his story to Dido, he reveals his emotions to the readers. He injects his opinions about how such horrible things could happen to the Trojans. However, his account does seem accurate and not altered by his emotions on the issue.