『アエネイス』におけるニススとエウリュアルス : dolus an uirtus をめぐって

Abstract

This paper attempts to show Virgil's use of the theme of dolus an virtus (treachery or valor) in the episode of Nisus and Euryalus. The phrase dolus an virtus (2.390) is Coroebus's, who in many ways resembles Nisus and Euryalus. He is called infelix iuuenis, brings ruin upon himself by putting on enemy arms, and dashes into the midst of the foe seeing his love captured. In the episode of Nisus and Euryalus, Coroebus and his phrase dolas an virtu : are recalled through these similarities. Before the episode, the speech of Turnus (9.128ff.) foreshows the theme of dolus an virtus : dolus is indicated in 150-2, and virtus in 153. In the episode, Nisus himself calls his plan insidiae (9.237), which means a kind of dolus. The arming scene (303-7 ) has the function of foreshadowing the story which follows. In particular, the helmet put on by Nisus (307) is not minutely described, unlike the models in the Iliad (10.257-9, 261-71). Nisus and Euryalus seem careless in their selection of arms. This fact fore-shadows the failure of Euryalus (373-4). The slaughter by Euryalus (342ff.) is called furtam (350), which also means stealing. Then he does steal the helmet of Messapus (365-6). And he is detected by the enemy because of the gleaming of the helmet (373-4). It is clear that Virgil disapproves of Euryalus's theft. And by using the word furtum, he also disapproves of the slaughter by Euryalus. It is dolus, incompatible with virtus. Virgil describes the slaughter by Nisus (324ff.) also as dolus, which is suggested by the word turbans (339), foreshowing the dolus of Nisus (409 turbare). When Nisus finds Euryalus captured by the enemy, his thoughts are divided between two choices (dolus an virtus) : should he bring confusion to the enemy (409), or should he fling himself into the midst of them (400-1)? He selects dolus. It is at first successful, but after all it causes the death of Euryalus. The cry of Nisus also indicates dolus (428 fraus). After Euryalus is killed, Nisus dashes into the midst of the foe (438). This corresponds to 400-1 (virtus). He takes revenge for Euryalus, although he himself meets his death. In book 5, the honor of Euryalus, won by means of dolus (333-5, 342), is approved. But it is contrary to Virgil's idea. Therefore, in book 9, he settles the problem (dolus an virtus), by depicting the failure by dolus and the atonement for it by virtus, which redeems honor. Nisus and Euryalus are called fortunati (9.446 ), because Nisus takes revenge for Euryalus by virtus, and hence their honor is restored. And they will be remembered as long as Rome lasts (446-9), because this episode embodies Virgil's idea that one should seek honor not by dolus but by virtus.