How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Book.Line). We used Robert Fitzgerald's translation.
Quote #10
Meanwhile, the man of honor, Aeneas, stood
Bare-headed with his right hand out, unarmed,
And called his troops:
"Where bound? Are you a mob?
Why this outbreak of brawling all at once?
Cool your hot heads. A pact has been agreed to,
Terms have been laid down. I am the one
To fight them. Let me do so. Never fear:
With this right hand I'll carry out the treaty.
Turnus is mine, our sacrifice obliged it." (12.427-436)
Here we see Aeneas attempting to restore order after what was going to be a duel between him and Turnus became a scene of mass violence. Aeneas is so committed to honor his agreements that he can't imagine anyone would break them. Can you think of other moments in the poem where Aeneas mistakenly thinks that other people will understand his sense of duty?