Which author notes that Book 2 presents Aeneas displaying piety?

Which author notes that Book 2 presents Aeneas displaying piety?

• A. Damien Nelis - Characterisation of Dido
• B. Ian Du Quesnay - Characterisation of Dido
• C. Philip Hardie - Modern audience and Dido
• D. Bruce Gibson - Book 2

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is how Aeneas’s piety (pietas) is presented in Book 2. Bruce Gibson argues that this book frames Aeneas as a model of pietas, foregrounding his obedience to the gods and his duty to his ancestors and the destined future city. In the narrative of Troy’s fall, Aeneas repeatedly grounds his actions in divine command and the imperative to preserve the Trojan lineage, showing piety as a guiding motive rather than personal impulse alone. This emphasis on adhering to the divine will and prioritizing duty over passion is what characterizes his portrayal in Book 2, distinguishing Gibson’s reading from others who focus on Dido or on modern reception.