Virgil's "Aeneid": The Role of the Gods

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how in Virgil's "The Aeneid", it becomes apparent that the will of the Gods and the ideas of fate and destiny overpower the actions and desires of mortals. It looks at how fate and, in particular, Aeneas's destiny to found Rome and the fall of Troy, is inevitable and cannot be changed. It also examines how there are many points in "The Aeneid" where the paths of fate could have been altered in some way and how it is during these moments that the gods appear in some manner in order to intercede.

From the Paper:

"Aeneas is destined to found Rome yet is presented with many situations that give him chance to disrupt the course of his fate. In book two there are many clear examples of divine intervention in order to ensure the progression of destiny. When The Aeneid first begins, Aeneas is asked to recount his journeys. Aeneas first describes the Trojan horse, one that allowed the Greeks to sneak behind the Trojan walls. This was a clever trick, yet would have been discovered had it not been for the meddling of the gods. The gods could not allow the Greeks' trick to be discovered because it might have interfered with the fall of Troy. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Virgil. The Aeneid. Trans. Robert Fitzgerald. New York: Vintage Classics: Random House Inc., 1985.

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• Analytical Essay # 145091 : "Fate and 'The Aeneid'"
• Essay # 87471 : "The Gods in "The Aeneid"
• Poem Review # 120377 : "Revenge in Virgil's "Aeneid"

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