Aeneas in Music
Amelia Lennard
Runaway- Love and Theft
In the first lines of Book 1, Aeneas is running away from Troy to establish a new city in Italy. The Trojans that survived the war accompany him on his journey—escaping the war-ridden area. “Never look back” and “getaway” describe how his main goal is leaving, and he isn’t thinking about what he has to do for Troy. Aeneas is “running away” from his problems and the disruptive state of Troy.
Tornado- Little Big Town
In Book 1 Lines 81-123, Juno calls on Aeolus to create a storm to disrupt the Trojans journey. Aeneas’ fleet seems doomed as they are scattered around. “I’m a tornado looking for a man to break” mimics Juno’s intentions by ordering the storm. “Make sure you’re never found” describes how the fleet was broken up and dispersed everywhere. “The winds are getting stronger” shows Aeolus’ power as the god of the winds.
Story of My Life- One Direction
At the end of Book 1 and the beginning of Book 2, Dido begs Aeneas to tell her the story of his adventures since he left Troy. Aeneas accepts grudgingly because of the love in her eyes. Aeneas is literally telling her “The story of [his] life.” He tells her the story to “keep her warm” and he “gives her hope” and “spends his love.” All Dido wants is to learn more about Aeneas as she expresses her love for him.
Leavin'- Jesse McCartney
In Book 2 Lines 705-729, Venus convinces Aeneas to leave Troy and pursue his fate. Aeneas convinces his father, Anchises, to join him as well as his wife, Creusa, and their son. They head to Hesperia, and despite losing his wife on the journey, Aeneas continues “leavin.” For the time being Aeneas is “leaving and never coming back again” until he finds a new wife or accomplishes his destiny. “I’ll put my money where my mouth is” describes his all or nothing attitude. There is nothing to salvage as he goes away and leaves Troy burning.
Love Shack- The B -52s
In Book 4 1 Lines 29-172, Dido and Aeneas end up in a cave alone after Juno creates a storm around them. They make love, and then they act as a couple as they return to Carthage. “The love shack is a little old place where we can get together” describes the cave that Aeneas and Juno stay in. They act married after their stay in the cave because “love rules at the love shack.”
Don't Let It Break Your Heart- Coldplay
In Book 4 line 393-449, Aeneas tells Dido that it is his destiny to sail for Italy. He had trouble with the decision because of the love he had for Dido. “Don’t let it break your heart” describes how Aeneas tries to explain his decision to her—he tries to explain that it is not out of his own free will. “From my shipwreck I heard a call and she said when you're tired of aiming your arrows” represents Dido begging Aeneas to stay.