Marlowe's Works
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Dido
History:
Interpretation:
- » Sources
- » Themes
- » Criticism
- » Staging the Play
- » Hamlet's Play?
Plot:
- » Dramatis Personae
- » Plot Summary
- » Scene Summaries:
- Act I:[1][2]
- Act II:[1]
- Act III:[1][2][3][4]
- Act IV:[1][2][3][4][5]
- Act V:[1]
References:
Sergestus:
Might we but once more see Aeneas' face,
Then would we hope to quite such friendly turns
As shall surpass the wonder of our speech.
Dido, Queen of Carthage, I.2.45-7
Dido, Queen of Carthage
Location: Further Along the Carthage Shore
The Other Trojan Ships Land
The remaining ships in the Trojan fleet have landed further along the Carthaginian coast. They have come ashore and have met Iarbus.
has Ilioneus speak a lengthy monologue to Queen Dido, but Marlowe adds a dramatic dimension by having Iarbus prompt explanations via his questioning, and also breaks up the monotony by having Ilioneus, Cloanthus, and Sergestus all supply answers in turn.
The Trojans explain that they come in peace. Their ships were sailing to Italy ("Hesperia term'd by us") when a sudden storm "dispers'd them all amongst the wreckful rocks" (I.2.29). They are unsure as to the fate of the rest of the fleet, including Aeneas. Iarbus accepts their friendly overtures, invites them to "banquet in our court", and says he will take them to Queen Dido.