o’s actions represent the climax of impious furor. For much of the story, Virgil presents Aeneas as a pious being, one who does not indulge in his own rage. However, as the epic nears its end, even Aeneas succumbs to his own impious furor. In the battle with the Latin’s, Aeneas does not heed the pleas of his enemy. “O Trojan hero,/…spare me my life;with pity hear/my prayer…Aeneas cut/him off…/Then with his sword, he opened Liger’s breast” (Aeneid, 10:820-826). Liger, a Latin warrior, begs Aeneas not to kill him. He asks Aeneas to “pity” him and “spare” his life. As a noble individual, Aeneas should comply and set the man free. However, he chooses to indulge his rage, and thus he sinks his sword into “Liger’s breast.” This sudden change in Aeneas is seen even more clearly in the final act of the book, when he faces a pitiful Turnus. For you have won, and the Ausonians Have seen me, beaten, stretch my hands; Lavinia Is yours; then do not press your hatred further. Aeneas, Aflame with rage-his wrath was terrible- Cried:”How can you who wear the spoils of my dear comrade now escape me? Relentless He sinks his sword into the chest of Turnus. (Aeneid, 12:1249-1269) Turnus, a great warrior and himself the leader of a kingdom, begs Aeneas to spare him. Turnus knows he is “beaten,” and he asks that Aeneas turn aside his “hatred.” Aeneas, however, is full of “rage” at the death of his comrade, Pallus, and chooses to enact vengeance. Thus, he kills Turnus in an act of cold blood. This is not the same Aeneas that Virgil presents in the earlier portions of the Aeneid. In addition, he is not showing piety towards the Gods by killing Turnus and eliminating his enemy. Turnus admits defeat, and is begging for forgiveness. However, rather than honoring the Gods and showing nobility in sparing Turnus, Aeneas indulges in his o...
