In many ways it could be argued that Virgil uses this passage to evoke sympathy for both of the main characters involved in the section: Dido and Aeneas. Aeneas has been visited by Mercury, warning of Jupiter's doubt in his duty to Rome and his fate. Disgraced by his unpious behaviour he plans to leave Carthage immediately with his men, deserting Dido who believes they are married, to rule her kingdom alone. This action initially creates far more sympathy for Dido than the man leaving her for his fortune.

Evidence that Dido deserves the audience’s pathos more than Aeneas begins at the start of the passage with Virgil’s graphic description and personification of ‘Wicked Rumour’. By personifying the act of Rumour it makes the idea of Aeneas’ desertion more treacherous as the mix of truth and lies, and the fact that it was rumour and not Aeneas who brought the news gives a clear explanation to Dido’s pitiful reaction. she is ‘driven to distraction and burning with passion’ which shows the effect Aeneas’ actions have on her, and being under the influence of Cupid and Venus’ power gives her far less control over her emotions, evoking more sympathy from the reader.

Virgil portrays Dido in a pitiful light through her argument with Aeneas as she attempts to persuade him not to go. she begins in an accusatory stance, asking Aeneas ‘Does our love have no claim on you’. She also gives suggestions of her ‘cruel death’ and her suicide if he leaves her for Rome, a huge threat not taken lightly by the audience which also proves just how changed she is from the calm, and respected Queen at beginning of the epic. She also makes a desperate attempt to persuade him to stay through a long description of the ‘winter storms’ and the danger of rushing into ‘the teeth of the north winds’. This futile attempt at persuasion forces even more sympathy out of the audience as she is so