Destiny and Fate in "The Aeneid"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how destiny and fate are central in Virgil's epic poem, "The Aenid", and how the great power of fate truly did drive Aeneas to his goal of Rome. The paper explains tha, in the ancient world of "The Aeneid", following the will and course of the Fates was the one and only true way to live life to its fullest and that Aeneas embodies this ideal. The paper also looks at how, based on these ideals, Aeneas overcomes all who oppose him in order to build the great city of Rome, and finally fulfill his destiny.

From the Paper:

"However, the character of Turnus, Lavinia's suitor, proves to be the polar opposite of Aeneas when it comes to fulfilling one's destiny. Turnus knows that he is not destined for greatness, but rather to step aside for Aeneas, for the prophecy told King Latinus to "Seek not, my seed, in Latian bands to yoke Our fair Lavinia, nor the gods provoke. A foreign son upon thy shore descends, whose martial fame from pole to pole extends. His race, in arms and arts of peace renowned, not Latium shall contain, nor Europe bound: 'T is theirs whatever the sun surveys around," (Book VII). Determined to change the tides of his destiny, Turnus builds an army to defeat Aeneas, but all to no avail. Turnus fails even to burn their unattended ships, for destiny will not allow him to violate his fate and conquer the Trojan army, and as Dido was struck down after her attempt to overcome destiny, so also was Turnus, defeated in battle by Aeneas, after attempting to slay him, further illustrating that to go against your pre-ordained destiny is not only foolish, but often times fatal in The Aeneid."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Longman Anthology. World Literature. The Aeneid. Person Education Inc., New York.
• World of Quotes. Fate Quotes. http://www.worldofquotes.com/topic/Fate/1/. February 12th 2005.

More papers on Destiny and Fate in "The Aeneid":

• Analytical Essay # 67290 : "Virgil's "The Aeneid"
• Poem Review # 113750 : "Virgil's "The Aeneid"
• Analytical Essay # 145091 : "Fate and 'The Aeneid'"

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