Paper Summary:

This paper explores the concept of power in both "The Odyssey" by Homer and "The Aeneid" by Virgil. The paper suggests that within "The Odyssey", power comes to Odysseus through a combination of bravery, versatility, patience and virtue and the approval of the gods. In contrast, it suggests that in "The Aeneid", power comes to Aeneas through piety and the consequent approval of the gods.

From the Paper:

"Further, Aeneas is sincerely rather than falsely or conveniently pious toward the gods, which is another of his strengths. We know this because Aeneas is not ever prompted by Venus, his mother, or by any of the other gods or goddesses that are in the Aeneid to be pious or to display piety. Instead, he is simply deeply, sincerely pious, in all circumstances, good ones and bad ones. Aeneas's piety therefore is eventually noticed by all: gods; goddesses, and mortals. Throughout the Aeneid, Aeneas in fact accomplishes all that he eventually does, as a result of his faith; forbearance; and self-control - qualities that are ultimately substantially rewarded by fate within the poem, and that are major sources of Aeneas's power as well."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Homer. The Odyssey. The Norton Anthology of World Literature, Vol. A. Sarah Lawall et al. (Eds.). New York, Norton, 2002. 225-530.
• Virgil. The Aeneid. The Norton Anthology of World Literature, Vol. A. Sarah Lawall et al. (Eds.). New York, Norton, 2002. 1055-1134.

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