Dido and Aeneas: Could They Have Had It All?

When I was reading through Virgil's The Aeneid, the one dynamic that really interested me the most was the relationship between Aeneas and Dido.  With the help of Aeneas' mother (Venus) and Cupid, disguised as Aeneas' son, the two Roman "love" gods helped Dido fall head over heals for Aeneas of Troy.  Much like Penelope and Odysseus, I can't help but think that Dido and Aeneas were almost "perfect" for one another.  Both Aeneas and Dido had similar life experiences that make them balance out one another in their interactions together.

Back in Tyre, Dido's husband was killed by her brother, causing her to flee to, what is now, Carthage, to save her life.  Aeneas tried to get his wife, son, and father out of war-torn Troy, but, unfortunately, Aeneas' wife perished and returned to Aeneas as a ghost, telling him to flee from Troy, hence, leads to Aeneas' and his men's ships washing up at the shores of Carthage.  In other words, Dido and Aeneas both had to flee their home-lands, lost their significant others, and had to start all over with their lives by moving their kingdoms.  Dido developed her own kingdom, while it is Aeneas' destiny to move Troy to Italy.

Part of me wishes that Aeneas would have stayed with Dido, since I think they had such a good connection, due to their similar unfortunate circumstances.  However, The Aeneid wouldn't be The Aeneid if Aeneas didn't obey the gods and followed his destiny; to move the new Troy to Italy.  I swear, someone needs to make a re-telling of a different ending of The Aeneid if Aeneas didn't listen to Mercury to leave Dido.  I would have liked to see what would have happened if Aeneas stayed and married Dido, because Aeneas seemed to have fallen for Dido, even though Dido was under the spell of Venus and Cupid.

Here are some questions to consider:
1.) Is it all a coincidence that Dido and Aeneas had similar misfortunes, or do you think Virgil did this on purpose so that we (the readers) can relate or understand why Dido would be attracted to Aeneas?

2.) Do you think Aeneas and Dido would have been a great couple?  Explain.  I would love to know you guys' opinions. 

3.) What would you think would have happened if Aeneas had stayed with Dido?

Aeneas vs. Odysseus

While reading The Aeneid  I noticed a number of similarities and parallels that Virgil made to Odysseus  in The Odyssey. From the very beginning Virgil creates the theme of how heroic Aeneas is, just as Odysseus was described from the beginning of The Odyssey. Not to mention the similar details between the adventures of both Aeneas and Odysseus.

It didn't take long though to realize that there are a significant amount of differences as well. Odysseus is known for his want to explore and to satisfy his interest in the unknown. He purposely involves himself in conflict for the sole purpose of being curious. He could have avoided conflict with Polyphemus if he wouldn't have been so hungry for adventure.

On the other hand Aeneas' intentions are purely on what is best for his people and family. He sacrifices the peaceful, happy life he knows he could have for his public duty to his people. While Odysseus' priority did not seem to be his men, shows as he came back without them, Aeneas fights for others, and to create a future for them. He is driven for others benefits, not his own personal desires.