Briefly explore the conflict between Pietas and Furor in Virgil's Aeneid

Aeneas is an emblem of pietas, the duty to one's state, family and gods. Yet there is not a neat divide between pietas and its antithesis furor, uncontrollable emotion. In The Aeneid, and Aeneas' journey, the conflict between these two ideals, between personal feelings and duty to others, between cosmic compulsion and individual choice, is ever prevalent, and is particularly at conflict within Aeneas himself. He is a man 'pietate insignis et armis', yet demonstrates behavior of a furoric nature. This is evident in his relationship with Dido and his brutal slaughter of the subjugated Turnus. His killing of Turnus is sparked by the dictates of pietas, as he is avenging his friend Pallas, yet the deed is ultimately an act of revenge. The conflict between the two ideals can ultimately be seen as a reflection on Augustan ideals, and perhaps even questions the 'pietas' of the emperor Augustus himself, who has many parallels with Aeneas himself.

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Answered by Poppy B. Latin tutor

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