The Aeneid : Virgil The Aeneid, written by the poet Virgil (70-19 B.C.) is one of the greatest epic poems ever written. Virgil was a scholar, who learned rhetoric and philosophy from the best teachers Rome had to offer. The Aeneid is written in the traditional meter of epic poetry, but is sometimes referred to as a secondary epic. This is not due to the quality of the narrative, but to the fact that unlike Homeric epics which were improvisational and oral, Virgil’s compositions were basically non oral and crafted with the aid of writing. Where as the Homeric epics were characterized by dependence on stock phrases designed to stay within the meter, Virgil on the other hand obviously spent much time writing and designing his own poetic language. Another difference between these two epic poets is that while Homer tended to base his tales on heroes and their heroic individual accomplishments, Virgil based his stories and their characters on more socially ideal leaders. This is due in part because in the times that Virgil lived and wrote, heroic individualism would have been unfitting for the readers in first century Rome. Because although the story is set in times before Rome, the characters of his tale must be judged by the standards of the poets own time. Thus the values and selfishness displayed by Achilles would not do justice to a sophisticated urban civilization. And although this ideal civilization was not the backdrop for the epic, one must take into account that the poet lived through very violent and politically unstable times, which coupled with the failing republic, set the tone for the piece. The events surrounding the poet in his everyday life are weaved in, and provide much of the framework for the tale. The Aeneid begins much like other epics, with the poet asking the muse to tell the story of the adventures of the hero, Aeneas. “I sing of arms and of the man, fated to be an exile, who long since left the land of Troy and came to Italy to the shores of the Lavinium; and a great pounding he took by land and sea at the hands of the heavenly gods because of the fierce and unforgetting anger of Juno. Great too were his sufferings in war before he could found his city and carry his gods into Latium. This was the beginning of the Latin race, the Alban fathers and the high walls of Rome. Tell me, Muse “(1, 1-9). By using this technique of asking the muse for help in narrating the story, Virgil was using a known poetic device in order for him to tell the tale comprehensively, and with authority. This also is done to lead the reader into the idea that the epic is accurate and objective. The first line also sets the tone and foundation for the whole piece. The reader becomes aware that the tale will tell of the journey of a man, and encompass other plots as well. As is true in most epics, the idea of gods and mortals is very apparent, as is the idea of fate. Virgil uses another twist in this plot as well; he combines and employs the history of his own time into the tale. The journey that is told in this tale is of Aeneas. The tale starts with the last days of Troy, and ends up with the fusion of the Trojans and the Latin’s into one people. The epic almost has a patriotic feel to it. The tale shows how Rome became the city it was and also lays out the things that make a good Roman citizen or leader. And throughout the tale Aeneas is described as pius, “pious” or “righteous”, which has a strong moral tone. This is a fitting description of a man who had to go through so much suffering and sacrifice on an individual basis, in order to achieve the greater, common good for all. So not only does Aeneas function as an individual, but also as a vehicle for the future of the Roman Empire. On the first page you learn that Juno will act as Aeneas’ enemy, because of the fact that it was prophesized that Aeneas’ descendants will found the great Roman nation and destroy her favorite city, Carthage. On Aeneas’ side throughout the peace is his mother Venus, who not only gives him a shield of invincibility, but also make queen Dido fall in love with him. “She decided to change the form and features of Cupid, and send him in place of the lovely young Ascanius to inflame the heart of the queen, driving her to madness by the gifts and winding the fire of passion round her bones” (1, 660). These are also two early examples of the reoccurring theme of the effect of gods on mortal’s lives. The idea that the gods have an interest in the outcome of human events is a central theme of the epic.
It is known that Virgil lived through very politically violent and chaotic times, and that the republic was failing, and it is also clear that these events had an effect on his writing. The events of this period have a clear influence on the Aeneid, and must be understood to clearly interpret the story. The story is packed with implicit symbolic meaning, and frequently the implied reference is to Roman history. Virgil recounts the legend of Aeneas not only because the story has historical value, but also because it was of meaning during his own times. In example, the destruction of Troy results in Aeneas and his followers setting off for the west to find a new life, which can be seen as a parallel to the history of first century Rome. This time in history included the violent and chaotic fall of the republic, and the bringing of peace and order by Augustus. Another suggestive meaning in the story is that of the Roman civil wars and the “civil wars” between the Trojans and the Italians. Aeneas’ subsequent victory in these wars can be seen as a parallel to Augustus’ ending the Roman civil wars. The queen of Carthadge, Dido, is so beautiful that she almost gets Aeneas off track as to his duties as a leader, which reminds the reader of the relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony. The story between Dido and Aeneas also provides an explanation for the history of hostility and resentment between Rome and Carthage, which resulted in three wars. A final example of this central theme of Roman history being woven into the story is that of the predicted civil war between two leaders, whose names are not mentioned, but referred to as father-in-law and son-in-law. “What a terrible war they will stir up between them! What battles! What carnage when the father-in-law swoops from the ramparts of the Alps and his citadel of Monaco and his son-in-law leads against him the embattled armies of the East!”(6, 829-833). This reference is to Pompey and Caesar, who were bonded by the marriage of Pompey to Caesar’s daughter. Another idea that is prominent in the piece, that is due in part to Virgil’s formal education, is the underlying theme of philosophy in the piece. The idea of fate is very prominent in the story. Not only the fate of Aeneas, but also of the foundation of a Roman Empire. The idea that Aeneas has several ethical choices to make is also an example. But perhaps the best example would be that of Ancchises’s’ digression on the nature of the universe and human existence. ” Each of us suffers his own fate in the after life. Few of us posses these fields of joy until the circle of time is completed and the length of the days has removed ingrained corruption and left us pure ethereal sense, the fire of elemental air. All others call out to God to come in great columns to the river of Lethe, so that they may duly go back and see the vault of heaven again remembering nothing, and begin to be willing to return to their bodies.”(6, 743-752). The idea of images being intertwined in the story is apparent also. In the beginning of book 1 Aeneas is a real hunter who hunts and slays a deer, in book 4, he becomes a “hunter” of Dido, and then again a real hunter as he and Dido engage in a hunting expedition. These references show the continuity of life. The evolution of people and thoughts, ending only in the cyclical return to the original. In the end this is a story for all times and all people. It is the plight of one man, whose destiny it is to unite a people and found an empire. Along his way he suffers, sacrifices, fights, loves, and overcomes. The personal growth of Aeneas is central. The inner conflicts he overcomes to win the external conflicts he is besieged with is an example of moral and physical strength. Aeneas literally had to go through hell and back to achieve his destiny. Moral: no matter what hardships and sufferings one faces, the persistent and pious man will achieve his rightful fate.