Furthermore, the work is also an important heritage in terms of Western art and culture. As such, it is worth preserving as the basis of the Humanities as the field is studied today. Works of art like the Aeneid is also valuable in terms of its impact on each individual effort of learning. Each reader, even today, may have a different reaction or learning experience to be derived from the work. Much can for example be learned from Aeneas' tenacity and adherence to his goal to the very end. From Dido, the student can learn how deeply love can affect the heart. Dido's life and death can also serve as a warning for the modern young woman, that this kind of all-consuming love can be dangerous not necessarily to fatal proportions, but also to the general work ethic. In literary terms, Dido also serves as a strong female character who preceded other female leads. In the humanities then, parallels can be drawn between Virgil's work and more recent works of literature for an estimation of the evolution of Western literature.
Quotes (Note: the online version of Dryden's translation is used; therefore quotes are cited by Book and line number rather than page numbers)
Quote #1:
sing of arms and of a man: his fate had made him fugitive: he was the first to journey from the coasts of Troy as far as Italy and the Lavinian shores
Across the lands and waters he was battered...
(Book 1, lines 1-7) find this quote striking, because it effectively summarizes all twelve volumes of the work in a few lines. It explains exactly the motivations behind Aeneas' journey and actions.
Quote #2
And I could not believe that with my going I should bring so great a grief as this. But stay your steps.
Do not retreat from me. Whom do you flee?
This is the last time fate will let us speak.'" (Book 6, lines 610-613)
The implication here is that that, even in the face of concrete evidence, Aeneas is unable to grasp the full impact of the pain he caused.
Quote #3
That, if war were at hand, then through the air she would bring Vulcan's weapons to my aid.
What slaughter menaces these sad Laurentians!
What penalties will Turnus pay to me! (Book 8, lines 695-698)
The above is important in terms of Aeneas' heroic qualities; he fully trusts the gods.
Quote #4
Grow in your new courage, child; o son of gods and ancestor of gods, this is the way to scale the stars. All fated, future wars shall end in peace...'" (Book 9, lines 856-859)
Aeneas is placed in the larger context as both son of the past and father of the future. These lines give his life and his suffering meaning.
