In this passage how effectively does Virgil convey the drama of the situation? Explain your answer
with detailed reference to the passage. (10 marks – book 2)
In this passage Virgil uses Aeneas to narrate the tragic scenes of the fall of Troy in a vivid flashback,
specifically the moments in which the Greek’s cunning trick of the Trojan horse is perfectly executed
as it makes its way through the city gates. Notably, Virgil immediately recalls the drama of the
situation through telling the story in a first-hand account, via Aeneas’ eyes making the passage all the
more dramatic as we hear it through someone who experienced the tragedy directly.
First and foremost, Virgil opens the passage outlining the efforts of the clueless Trojans as ‘they all
buckled to the task”, collectively hard at work together, unaware of the doom they are welcoming into
their city. The poet very effectively demonstrates the sense of drama and misfortune of the situation as
he indicates the effort all of the Trojans put in “setting wheels” and “stretching ropes”, completely
oblivious to the cruel fate that awaits them. Most effectively of all, Virgil cleverly refers to the Trojan
horse as the “engine of fate”; stressing the sheer sense of tragedy in the situation for it is certain that
the Trojans stand no chance against the gods who have fated them to meet their death in such a
disastrous manner. Furthermore, Virgil builds on this idea of the Trojans unfortunate destiny as he
describes this ‘engine of fate’ to be “teeming with armed men,”, creating an image to the audience of
the mass of equipped soldiers hidden, waiting to pounce on the Trojans, accelerating the tension and
drama of the passage.
Additionally, the poet highlights the close proximity between the Greek soldiers and the Trojans as he
contrasts these armed men with the “unmarried girls and boys” whom innocently “sang their hymns”
and “rejoiced” by the horse, unconscious of the military force that is disguised directly next to them.
This image of rejoicing, celebration and party completely contrasts with the violent episode of war
which is about to take place; further emphasising the drama of the scene for the young innocent ‘girls
and boys’ are entirely oblivious of their mistake in pulling the horse within the city walls. Moreover,
this contrast makes the scene all the more tragic as Virgil describes members of the youth, specifically
in a joyous celebration, which we understand will be short-lived for they are soon to meet their death.
On top of this, Virgil describes the Trojan horse to pass “gliding smoothly, looking down on the heart
of the city,” using rather sinister predatory language to convey the drama of the situation. To be
specific, the phrase “gliding smoothy” likens the horse to a snake, indicating the ease in which the
wooden horse enters Troy while relating to the Greeks trickery and stealth. Virgil follows up this
description with a triplet of shrieks, with Aeneas completely grief stricken by the devastating events
as he recalls his ‘native land’ and the ‘walls of the people of Dardanus,’; reinforcing the immense
scale of loss and destruction through such emotive cries.
Furthermore, the poet expands on the tragedy of the scene as he writes “Four times it stopped on the
very threshold of the gate, and four times the armour clanged in its womb,”. At this point the Virgil
effectually conveys the drama of the situation as he expresses the blindness of the Trojans as he
repeats ‘four times’ to indicate the multiple opportunities they had to overcome the deceit of the
Greeks; even with the sensory detail of the armour clanging, the Trojans ignored the signs. Moreover,
the poet uses the adverbs ‘blindly’ and ‘madly’ to describe the Trojans, building on this idea of
blindness and even insanity for their actions; behaviour that contrasts completely to that of typical
Romans. In hand with this, Virgil accelerates the building drama and tragedy through referring to the
wooden horse as an ‘accursed monster’, reinforcing the danger the Trojans have brought into their
city unknowingly.
Most importantly, Virgil brings the scene to a climax of suspense as he signifies the disaster in
Cassandra warning the Trojans of their fate “at this last moment”, however being unable to do so for
“God had willed” that the Trojans would never believe her; alone indicating the immense tragedy of
the situation, causing frustration for the audience. Finally, the passage concludes as Virgil describes
the catastrophic “last day of a doomed people”, whom rather ironically spend their last moments in
celebration, “adorning the shrines of gods,” in the city decorated with “festal garlands,”; effectively
demonstrating the drama of the situation.
with detailed reference to the passage. (10 marks – book 2)
In this passage Virgil uses Aeneas to narrate the tragic scenes of the fall of Troy in a vivid flashback,
specifically the moments in which the Greek’s cunning trick of the Trojan horse is perfectly executed
as it makes its way through the city gates. Notably, Virgil immediately recalls the drama of the
situation through telling the story in a first-hand account, via Aeneas’ eyes making the passage all the
more dramatic as we hear it through someone who experienced the tragedy directly.
First and foremost, Virgil opens the passage outlining the efforts of the clueless Trojans as ‘they all
buckled to the task”, collectively hard at work together, unaware of the doom they are welcoming into
their city. The poet very effectively demonstrates the sense of drama and misfortune of the situation as
he indicates the effort all of the Trojans put in “setting wheels” and “stretching ropes”, completely
oblivious to the cruel fate that awaits them. Most effectively of all, Virgil cleverly refers to the Trojan
horse as the “engine of fate”; stressing the sheer sense of tragedy in the situation for it is certain that
the Trojans stand no chance against the gods who have fated them to meet their death in such a
disastrous manner. Furthermore, Virgil builds on this idea of the Trojans unfortunate destiny as he
describes this ‘engine of fate’ to be “teeming with armed men,”, creating an image to the audience of
the mass of equipped soldiers hidden, waiting to pounce on the Trojans, accelerating the tension and
drama of the passage.
Additionally, the poet highlights the close proximity between the Greek soldiers and the Trojans as he
contrasts these armed men with the “unmarried girls and boys” whom innocently “sang their hymns”
and “rejoiced” by the horse, unconscious of the military force that is disguised directly next to them.
This image of rejoicing, celebration and party completely contrasts with the violent episode of war
which is about to take place; further emphasising the drama of the scene for the young innocent ‘girls
and boys’ are entirely oblivious of their mistake in pulling the horse within the city walls. Moreover,
this contrast makes the scene all the more tragic as Virgil describes members of the youth, specifically
in a joyous celebration, which we understand will be short-lived for they are soon to meet their death.
On top of this, Virgil describes the Trojan horse to pass “gliding smoothly, looking down on the heart
of the city,” using rather sinister predatory language to convey the drama of the situation. To be
specific, the phrase “gliding smoothy” likens the horse to a snake, indicating the ease in which the
wooden horse enters Troy while relating to the Greeks trickery and stealth. Virgil follows up this
description with a triplet of shrieks, with Aeneas completely grief stricken by the devastating events
as he recalls his ‘native land’ and the ‘walls of the people of Dardanus,’; reinforcing the immense
scale of loss and destruction through such emotive cries.
Furthermore, the poet expands on the tragedy of the scene as he writes “Four times it stopped on the
very threshold of the gate, and four times the armour clanged in its womb,”. At this point the Virgil
effectually conveys the drama of the situation as he expresses the blindness of the Trojans as he
repeats ‘four times’ to indicate the multiple opportunities they had to overcome the deceit of the
Greeks; even with the sensory detail of the armour clanging, the Trojans ignored the signs. Moreover,
the poet uses the adverbs ‘blindly’ and ‘madly’ to describe the Trojans, building on this idea of
blindness and even insanity for their actions; behaviour that contrasts completely to that of typical
Romans. In hand with this, Virgil accelerates the building drama and tragedy through referring to the
wooden horse as an ‘accursed monster’, reinforcing the danger the Trojans have brought into their
city unknowingly.
Most importantly, Virgil brings the scene to a climax of suspense as he signifies the disaster in
Cassandra warning the Trojans of their fate “at this last moment”, however being unable to do so for
“God had willed” that the Trojans would never believe her; alone indicating the immense tragedy of
the situation, causing frustration for the audience. Finally, the passage concludes as Virgil describes
the catastrophic “last day of a doomed people”, whom rather ironically spend their last moments in
celebration, “adorning the shrines of gods,” in the city decorated with “festal garlands,”; effectively
demonstrating the drama of the situation.
