ENGL 322-01, Renaissance Poetry & Prose, Dido's Tears, Spring 2015

Abstract

For over 2000 years, Dido's lament upon Aeneas' departure has inspired compelling verse, drama, art, and opera. Ovid composed a poignant letter in Dido's voice, and Augustine complained that Virgil led him astray by weeping for "dead Dido" (rather than his own sins!). Hamlet instructed the players to recite "Aeneas' tale to Dido," about which Shakespeare's peer, Christopher Marlowe, wrote an entire play. Dante, Chaucer, de Pizan, and contemporary poets have all crafted their own versions of this enthralling story. As our seminar surveys these fascinating retellings, we will inevitably find ourselves discussing suffering and empathy; literary form and style; adaptation across media; trans-cultural appropriation; exoticism and empire; and gender and ventriloquism. The topic is particularly timely, as our seminar coincides with a lecture on suffering by philosopher Scott Samuelson (January 15); a visit from Aeneid translator Sarah Ruden (February 25); the production of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas and Marlowe’s play Dido, Queen of Carthage (April 17 & 18), and a talk by scholar John Guillory (April 23). Students are expected to attend these events, and draw upon them in their writing.