us would not have to bicker. One day when Dido, Aeneas and her court are out hunting, Juno brings a storm down upon them, sending them scattering for shelter, and arranges for Aeneas and Dido to end up in the same cave by themselves. Dido, having been inflamed with love by Cupid’s arrow, makes love to Aeneas. When they return, rumors fly everywhere that the two have given themselves over to lust; such words even reach the ears of Jupiter himself. He sends Mercury down to Carthage to remind Aeneas that his destiny lies elsewhere, and that he must leave for Italy. Aeneas reveals to Dido that he has no choice but to follow the will of the gods: "It is not / my own free will that leads to Italy" (IV.491-492). The infighting between the gods seems to be the real cause of Dido's pain. Juno threw Aeneas off course towards Carthage; Venus made Dido fall in love so that the Trojans would not be harmed; Juno arranges for the consummation of the queen's love so that Aeneas would be held in Carthage for good. In the end, of course, fate must win out and Aeneas must leave.Juno's anger at the Trojans still rages and once again she attempts to keep Aeneas from his destiny. She sends Iris, her messenger, down to the Trojan women, who are a ways down the beach from where the men enjoy their sport. Iris incites them, playing on their fear of further journey and more battles. She gives them flaming torches, telling them to burn the Trojan ships so that the men will be forced to build their new city in Sicily. The women are convinced and in an angry mob set fire to the fleet. The Trojan men see the smoke, rush up the beach and throw water on the ships, but the burning does not stop. Finally, Aeneas prays to Jupiter to save the fleet, and immediately a rainstorm comes, putting out the flames. The goddesses Juno and Venus continue their quarrel by further intervention in the journey of the Trojans. At this point it almost seems to be overdone: the gods...
