The book opens with Latinus trying to persuade Turnus to stop fighting - saying there’s other women to marry etc - Turnus response is typically Homeric and is concerned with kleos (glory) he doesn’t seem concerned that he may die - don’t forget that Turnus is this angry due to Venus & Allecto’s intervention
’ I beg of you, for my sake, forget it, and allow me to barter my life for glory.’
Amata expresses her displeasure at the idea of Lavinia being married to Turnus and in response Lavinia blushes - very ambiguous part of the text and probably the most insight we get into her character - the ambiguity highlighting that it doesn’t matter what she thinks as she is a vehicle of fate (role of women)
‘When Lavinia heard these words of her mother, her burning cheeks were bathed in tears and deep flush glowed and spread over her face. As when Indian ivory has been stained with blood red dye, or when white lilies are crowded by roses and take on their red. Such were the colours on the maiden’s face.’
Aeneas reveals the fairness of his proposed leadership
‘I shall not order Italians to obey Trojans, nor do I seek royal power myself.’
We feel pity for Turnus with his vulnerable portrayal and role of his sister Juturna - who makes many futile attempts to save Turnus in the face of powers higher than her (Juno, Jupiter, fate). We are reminded that Turnus is a young man and another casualty of Rome.
‘Turnus stepping forward quietly with downcast eyes to worship at the altar like a suppliant. His cheeks were like a boy’s and there was a pallor all over his youthful body. As soon as his sister Juturna saw that such talk was spreading and that men’s minds were wavering, she came into the battle lines in the guise of Camers…. ‘Is it not a disgrace, Rutulians, to sacrifice the life of one man for all of us?’
