There are two main modes of reading the Aeneid by scholars today. The main difference between these two theories lies in how each addresses the obstacles Aeneas faced. The first considers Aeneas a classic epic hero, that is, he is destined for the great destiny of founding Rome, and Aeneas successfully fulfills this destiny, despite some unfortunate trials. The other view sees the obstructions to which Aeneas is subjected as, on the contrary, proof from the gods and other powers that Aeneas' quest is, as an essay by Steven Farron claims, "brutal and destructive" ( 34), rather than insignificant events. . This vision is called the dark reading of the Aeneid. One of the best-known circumstances of the Aeneid is Aeneas' correspondence with Dido. This period of the Aeneid is often used to prove an argument for one of the two readings, as the text gives important details about Aeneas and his quest there. However, after a careful reading of the text, the imperfect relationship between Dido and Aeneas better confirms this dark reading. The exact dynamics of the interaction between the Trojan refugee and the Carthaginian queen are not as easily verifiable as one might expect. The typical misconception is to project the two as instantly and perfectly in love, which is not a view supported by the text at all. Furthermore, Farron does not seem to believe in his article, The Aeneas-Dido Episode as an Attack on Aeneas' Mission and Rome, that Aeneas was in love with Dido. Although he acknowledges that the two were emotionally involved with each other, specifically referring to the "wedding" scene between the two, Farron does not recognize these feelings as love. Instead, Farron systematically approaches...... middle of paper......the Aeneid before his death. As such, it is even possible that Virgil was mistaken in adding these elements. However, looking at the rest of the work, particularly the time spent by the Trojans in Carthage, it seems very likely that Virgil was not mistaken and that, just like all the other masterful parts of the Aeneid, Virgil had a now dark and unknown objective. which may never be known. Works Cited Farron, Steven. "The Aeneas-Dido episode as an attack on the mission of Aeneas and Rome." (nd): n. page. Rep. in Greece and Rome. No. 1 ed. Flight. 27. New York: Cambridge UP, 1980. 34-47. Second series. Jstor. Internet. December 3, 2013. Monitto, Gary. “Virgil’s Aeneid 4.169-72.” Explainer 62.1 (2003): 2. Academic research completed. Internet. December 4, 2013.P. Virgil Maronis. Aénidos. Nd The original Latin version of the Aeneid of unknown publication, cited by Steven Farron. Liber Quartus.