Dido Queen of Carthage

Act III Scene i

Location: Dido's Court

Cupid disguised as Ascanius tricks his way into Dido's embrace and causes her to fall suddenly in love with Aeneas, desperately offering to repair his ships if only he will stay with her.

Dido is Struck by Cupid's Dart

Iarbus is once again pushing his suit, and Dido is diplomatically rejecting his advances. It is the Queen's sister Anna who brings to Dido's attention how "Aeneas' little sonne playes with your garments and imbraceth you" [III.1.20-1]. Cupid engineers his way onto Dido's lap using his childish charm, and soon we can see his deed is done when Dido begins behaving erratically towards Iarbus, alternatively demanding he leave and then calling him back.

A perplexed Iarbus finally departs, leaving Dido to confide in Anna her sudden love for Aeneas. The audience learns in an aside that Anna is secretly in love with Iarbus, and thus encourages her sister's new found passion. Dido asks her to bring Aeneas to her, but when he arrives, he is accompanied by his Trojan companions.

Dido Courts Aeneas

Dido tries to conceal her feelings, but continues to behave a little erratically (for example, pretending initially not to notice Aeneas in the group). The queen asks what she might do for Aeneas, who somewhat sheepishly replies that she might help repair his damaged fleet. "Conditionally that thou wilt stay with me, and let Achates saile to Italy," bargains Dido [III.1.113-4].

The Queen blusters that she needs Aeneas to help her "to warre against her bordering enemies: Aeneas, thinke not Dido is in loue" [III.1.134-5]. She shows a gallery of her former suitors, whom the Trojans recognise as kings, and says that she rejected all their advances (although Marlowe does not play on her alleged historical faithfulness to her murdered husband). "O happie shall he be whom Dido loues," declares Aeneas, seemingly ready to return the queen's feelings. "It may be thou shalt be my loue," teases Dido in reply [III.1.167-9].