Show Synopsis:
Belinda suggests that Dido, queen of Carthage, marries Aeneas, because she believes Dido is sad over her love for him. She eventually accepts Aeneas?s proposal. The Sorceress wants to destroy Dido and Carthage, so when Dido and Aeneas stop at a grove during a hunt, she creates a large storm so that Dido and her servants will leave. Aeneas is stopped by the Sorceress?s elf disguised as Mercury and convinces hint to leave Dido to create a new Troy. Dido gets angry at Aeneas for making the decision to leave and Dido commits suicide.	

Character:
Dido, Queen of Carthage; a proud woman with love for her country.

Song Context:
Dido is furious and saddened by Aeneas's departure and decides to commit suicide on a flaming pyre, believing that there is no reason for her to go on living.	

Fun Facts:
1) This opera was based on Book IV of Virgil's Aeneid, which describes the legend of Aeneas. 
2) This song is the most well known from this opera, and is possibly Purcell's most well-known aria.