In Paul F. Burke's analysis, what is the function of Drances in the epic?

• A. To delay the duel and extend the epic to Book XII
• B. To incite the duel and hasten the end
• C. To heal and counsel Aeneas
• D. To mediate between Turnus and Aeneas

Answer: (A)

The main idea Burke highlights is that Drances functions as a delaying force within the epic. By urging restraint and caution at moments when a direct confrontation seems imminent, Drances pushes the narrative away from an immediate duel toward a longer, more drawn-out confrontation that unfolds across the later books. This delaying maneuver serves to extend the epic’s scope, pushing the climactic clash between Aeneas and Turnus into the final book rather than letting it resolve quickly. In Burke’s view, this isn’t just about one man’s opinion; it’s a deliberate narrative strategy that creates time for the epic to develop Rome’s founding myth, test the hero’s pietas, and weave in more episodes of fate, endurance, and political consequence. Drances’ role is thus tied to the tempo and structure of the poem: he embodies prudence and caution that keep action in reserve, shaping the arc of the entire work. The other options don’t fit this reading because they cast Drances as a healer, mediator, or provoke-the-duel figure, which Burke does not emphasize; instead, his function is the strategic delay that sustains the epic’s extended progression.