Magic and Memory

Abstract In this article, I examine the nature of Dido's magic ritual in Aeneid 4, reading it as a magic ritual aimed at inducing forgetfulness. I argue that in burning his belongings, Dido intends to forget Aeneas and not to destroy him; for this purpose, I study this episode in the light of n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Mnemosyne 2021-11, Vol.74 (6), p.1001-1014
Main Author: Silva, Gabriel A.F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Epic literature
Magic & magicians
Memory
Poetry
Virgil (70-19 BC)
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Abstract In this article, I examine the nature of Dido's magic ritual in Aeneid 4, reading it as a magic ritual aimed at inducing forgetfulness. I argue that in burning his belongings, Dido intends to forget Aeneas and not to destroy him; for this purpose, I study this episode in the light of non-literary sources and of the poetic tradition concerning love magic and the obliteration of memory.
ISSN:0026-7074
1568-525X
DOI:10.1163/1568525X-BJA10047