1. IMAGERY
IN THE
AENEID

2. IMAGERY IN BOOK 1
Virgil frequently uses imagery (the use of symbols to describe
actual events) in The Aeneid. For each of the examples of imagery
listed below, explain what event the image represents.
3. Bees hard at
work (pg.40)
2. Swans pursued
by an eagle. (pg.39)
5. “Invisible Fire”
(pgs.47-49)
1. A man calming
a riotous crowd.
(pgs.31-32)
Extension Question: Why do you think Virgil chose to use this imagery?
4. The goddess
Diana (pg.43)

3. THE EAGLE AND THE SWANS
This one is tricky and there are a couple of different interpretations.
In each case, the "12 swans, gaily in line" represent Aeneas's ships, on their way to Italy. "Jupiter's eagle", which
scatters the swans, represents the storm. This is where it gets a bit tricky, and there are two interpretations:
1. The reference to 'Jupiter's eagle' just shows that the storm was an act of one of the gods, in this case Juno. OR
2. The reference is to show that the storm was part of the Divine Plan, that is approved by Jupiter himself.
Which is more likely? This is getting into quite sophistated reading of the Aeneid. I think the first interpretation
more likely, because Jupiter has not approved of the storm, the storm is Juno's attempt to divert Aeneas from the
Divine Plan that Jupiter is responsible for making happen. Further evidence that Jupiter does not approve of the
storm and its outcomes is in Book Four, where he tells Aeneas to move on from Carthage ASAP. Later in Book
IV Dido's death is described as "neither by destiny nor a death deserved" (good quote to remember). Thus that
consequence of the storm was not part of the Divine Plan either.
No matter which interpretation of the meaning of the eagle you go with, the message of the image is a positive
one. The swans have been scattered, pursued "across the whole breadth of the sky" by the eagle, but will "come
safely home" as per earlier prophecies that have guaranteed the safety of the Trojans on the latter stages of their
journey.

4. “Twelve swans behold in beauteous order move,
And stoop with closing pinions from above;
Whom late the bird of Jove had driv'n along,
And thro' the clouds pursued the scatt'ring
throng:
Now, all united in a goodly team,
They skim the ground, and seek the quiet
stream.”
Dryden Translation of the Aeneid
THE EAGLE AND THE SWANS

5. Imagery in Book Two
For each of the examples of imagery listed below, explain what the
image represents. Note that some of these are extended similies,
having several parts to them, that will need to be thoroughly explained.
1. A flash flood
destroying crops.
(p.60)
5. A snake waking
from hibernation.
(p.65)
2. A man who has
trodden on a snake.
(p.62)
4. A river breaking its
banks. (p.66)
3. A great tree that is
finally toppled. (p.69)
6. The sound of a
wounded sacrificial
bull. (p.58)
7. Hungry wolves
searching for prey.
(p.61)
8. Wild winds of
a hurricane.
(p.63)
Question:
Which images are
repeated? Are the
meanings of the
repeated images
consistent?

6. Imagery in Book IV
1. A doe
pieced by a
shepherd’s
arrow. (p.99)
3. The personification
of Rumour (p.102)2. The god Apollo
(p.101)
4. A
‘Bacchanal’
(devotee of
the god
Bacchus)
(p.106)
5. A strong oak tree
(pg. 110-1)
7. Stories of Madness (p.111) – Pentheus + Orestes, son of Agamemnon
Explain the following images
that appear in Book IV
6. Ants storing up
food for the winter
(p.109)

7. Imagery in Book IV
1. A doe
pieced by a
shepherd’s
arrow. (p.99)
3. The personification
of Rumour (p.102)2. The god Apollo
(p.101)
4. A
‘Bacchanal’
(devotee of
the god
Bacchus)
(p.106)
5. A strong oak tree
(pg. 110-1)
7. Stories of Madness (p.111) – Pentheus + Orestes, son of Agamemnon
Explain the following images
that appear in Book IV
6. Ants storing up
food for the winter
(p.109)