Choice in Virgil's "Aeneid"

Paper Summary:

This paper shows how Virgil conveys in his epic, "The Aeneid", that fate was once considered to be so unyielding that not even the gods themselves could intervene to prevent its coming to fruition. Juno, queen of the gods and the main antagonist in Virgil's foundational fiction, is not affected by the same fate that rules over humans. Nevertheless, she actively attempts to obstruct the Roman hero Aeneas in his journey to fulfill his own destiny, which Juno suspects will be responsible both for the downfall of her favorite city, Carthage, and the death of her most cherished mortal, Turnus. This paper shows that although some may argue that Venus is responsible for foiling Juno's intentions, it is ironically Juno herself, in her actions to thwart Aeneas, who brings about the fated events she tries to prevent. This is demonstrated by Dido's death coupled with Carthage's fated demise as well as Aeneas' prophesied founding of Rome.

From the Paper:

"As a subsequent result of Juno's attempt to save Turnus, Turnus begins to lose support from his army and is forced to settle the war with Aeneas in a fight to the death. When the fight finally commences, Aeneas soon has Turnus pleading for Aeneas' mercy. Aeneas is initially moved by Turnus' reasoning, but spots the young Pallas' belt on Turnus' arm. This sight reminds Aeneas of Turnus' own brazen ruthlessness and Aeneas executes Turnus, which clears the way for the founding of Rome. Since Juno originally inspires Turnus to fight against the Trojans, and Turnus murders Pallas, she secures Turnus' doom."

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