Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Virgil’s Roman Epic: The Aeneid Ch. 19 Virgil Publius Vergilius Maro (70-19 BC) Supporter of Augustus regime Victim of civil wars (his family estate was lost) Wrote 3 works: Eclogues (aka Bucolics) Georgics Aeneid Aeneid: Significant Themes Greek Connection Hoping to elevate Latin literature, Virgil wrote works in conscious imitation of Greeks Georgics – imitation of Hesiod’s Works and Days Aeneid – imitation of Homer’s Odyssey (Aeneid IVI) and Iliad (Aeneid VII-XII) Aeneas is a character in Homer’s Iliad – and was destined to lead Trojans to new home in the West Aeneid: Significant Themes Historicizing of Myth The story set in the mythic past connected to the historical reality of Rome Aeneas sees Roman heroes yet to be born in Aeneid VI Aeneas visits site of Rome (still farmland) and gets shield with scenes of Roman history in Aeneid VIII. Aeneas’ dalliance with Dido in Aeneid I-IV recalls Rome’s greatest foreign threat -- Carthage Aeneid: Significant Themes Role of the city City allows for culture to bloom City’s boundaries must be maintained Dido’s forgetting her role as ruler of Carthage is a cautionary tale (and as temptress keeping Aeneas from his task, she calls to mind Cleopatra) City (Rome) has job to do – spread peace and culture by subduing outlaw realms Aeneid: Significant Themes Roman Hero Hero is patriot, working for his group or state, not for himself Aeneas fits this role; his opponent, Turnus, does not Hero does not need the reward – doing right by the state is reward enough Aeneas will not see Rome, and will live only 3 years after the conclusion of the epic Aeneas: the Exemplary Roman Aeneas demonstrates pietas He demonstrates disciplina He accepts his destiny, even when painful He loves Dido, but leaves her because it is his duty He does not give in to bloodlust as do some of his foes But in Aeneid XII, he does display rage Women in the Aeneid Creusa, the good wife, willingly disappears so Aeneas can be free to marry Lavinia Dido, the queen of Carthage, displays many noble qualities, but gives in to an irresistible passion – loses reason Lavinia, Aeneas’ wife to be, willing to marry Aeneas, though the war caused her family so much pain Two moms: Thetis and Venus Thetis does all she can to keep her son from dying – she would rather he have no glory, but live… Venus is willing to let Aeneas suffer, so that Rome will rise Other figures, who represent irrationality Juno, still motivated by hatred of Trojans, and love of Carthage Amata, Queen of the Latins, who sides with Turnus against Aeneas and her husband Juno will ultimately submit. Irrational humans who stand in the way of Rome, die Gods and Human Fate Jupiter, though he is not omniscient, has inside information about Rome, a city that will continue to rise, and never fall The pii (“loyal” or “dutiful”) submit to their part in the destiny of Rome; the others resist, though resistance is futile. Aeneas’ trip to Underworld Goes to see Anchises, his father, thus demonstrating pietas Anchises shows him parade of future Roman heroes His destiny is not his alone, but that of Rome itself Is this meant ironically? Aeneas and the Sibyl come back through the Gate of Ivory (the portal of false dreams) – is Rome’s destiny a dream gone wrong? Final Battle Aeneas kills Turnus in the last lines of the poem in a fit of rage Does his final act, that of unreasoning hatred, suggest a criticism? Must he get rid of Turnus, who is like Achilles – an old-style hero focused on himself?