What do you think of the story so far? Are you enjoying it? Has it caught your interest? I read the first two books straight through, and find myself very interested in reading the rest. Reading in verse took some time to get used to, though.
Do you think the first two books make Aeneas look like a good leader? I think he seems like a good leader, especially from his short speech to soothe and motivate his comrades that he makes at lines 276-289 in book 1.
What do you think of Venus? I think she seems needlessly deceitful; do you also think that? She disguised herself as a huntress when talking to Aeneas between lines 444 and 585 in book 1. When she turns and leaves, Aeneas notices it is her and mentions that she disguises herself often. In my translation, Aeneas says to Venus:
What do you think of Cupid being used as an disguised assassin? I view it as just another example of Venus's deceitfulness.Why do you mock your son--so often and
so cruelly--with these lying apparitions?
Why can't I ever join you, hand to hand,
to hear, to answer you with honest words?
Do you see Venus as a good and truly loving mother? To me, she seems more like a childish little girl playing with dolls.
In book 2, which consists of back-story, Aeneas tells of how he accidentally left his wife at one point while fleeing from enemy soldiers (near lines 985-1003). What did you think of that? It seemed sort of negligent to me, but he does seem genuinely upset about it and also looks for her.
Last time I read the story of the Trojan horse, I read it in the perspective of the Greek's. (I assume from The Odyssey.) I enjoyed reading it again from a new perspective. What did you think of it?
What's your favorite line or passage from the first two books? Please quote it.
Also, please post questions of your own for the group.
(I am reading a verse translation by Allen Mandelbaum, because it was already in my house. You're probably reading a different translation, and that's fine. Dori posted links to a few online translations, of which I recommend the A. S. Kline translation, which I believe you can use for free.)
Thanks,
Scott