Abstract The paper deals with the development of Aeneas' character in Virgil's "Aenid", from a weak, fragile mortal in the first lines of the epic, to a raging warrior in the final book and everything in between. It explains how Anchises guides him into his new role as a leader of men and how his divine calling comes into conflict with his human desires and frailties, with tragic results. Finally, the paper discusses his status as a new model of socially responsible hero.
From the Paper "The figure of Aeneas had already been present, albeit in a small role, in the Homeric epics when work on the Aeneid commenced. Virgil, however, chose Aeneas as the hero for his modern, post-civil war, Roman epic and, with skill and sophistication, unquestionably made the character his own. In a bid to give his work emotional depth unheard of in all previous epics, Virgil characterises Aeneas through his two simultaneous journeys: the physical quest for the future site of Rome, and the personal, character-building process he goes through as he matures and grows into the poet's notion of the new "Roman Hero". This is done cleverly by Virgil; since whereas heroes such as Achilles or Odysseus are highly characterised at most opportunities by any means, Aeneas is defined more by his actions and the epithets given him (especially "pietas", which will be discussed later), with Virgil significantly avoiding writing Aeneas much dialogue in the poem."
A look at the roles of women in ancient times through an examination of ancient literature by Hesiod, Sophocles, Aristophanes, Homer, Virgil, and Aristotle.
Abstract This paper analyzes several pieces of ancient literature in order to shed some light on the roles that women played in ancient times and how they were viewed by society. The paper examines Hesiod's "Theogony" and "Works and Days", Sophocles' "Antigone", Aristophanes' "Lysistrata", Homer's "Odyssey", Virgil's "Aeneid" and Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics". The paper concludes that, while the heroines and major female characters in these ancient works are certainly worth examination and study, it must be remembered that they are unrealistic in the light of normal ancient life, and that in reality women were barely given any attention at all.
From the Paper "In ancient times, and in ancient Greece most of all, women were usually treated almost as less than human. Men seemed to deal with them as a necessary evil that was kept around for the sole purpose of providing sons. As F.G. Naerebout says, "Whatever else [they] may do - weaving, spinning, directing the female staff - is a pleasant extra (Naerebout 124)." Yet this was not always the case. There are cases in ancient writings where women are shown in a positive light, even cases where women are heroes. Here we shall examine separately each work in which women played a major role, either positive or negative."
Abstract It will be argued that the three saddest scenes in the poem are Aeneas' tale of the death of Priam, the abandonment and suicide of Did and the defeat and death of Turnus. However, it must be acknowledged that this choice is determined by our modern context. As will be shown, within the cultural and political climate that created this work, these scenes may not have all been regarded as sad.
Abstract 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."
