Welcome, novi discipuli! Here's our first blog discussion question: what are some of the themes that run through Vergil's Aeneid? Give specific examples from your English reading to support your answer.
Post an answer (at least 5 substantial sentences) by Monday, Sept. 22, at 10:00 pm.
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ReplyDeleteOne of the main themes throughout the Aeneid is the inevitability of fate and destiny. Although Juno tries multiple times and numerous ways to derail Aeneas' destiny, such as influencing his marriage to Dido and setting the Latins against him, the queen of gods is not even able to deny fate. The power of fate is greater even than the power of all of the gods and they can't even oppose it. Another major theme in the Aeneid is the glory of Rome. In certain scenes such as Aeneas' shield and Aeneas' journey to the Underworld to see his father, images of Rome's most glorious moments are presented to him and the audience. Vergil does this to show his allegiance to Rome and her emperor, as the work was commissioned by the emperor.
ReplyDeleteA major theme of the Aeneid is the importance and value of "pietas," or loyalty to one's family, country, and gods. Some specific instances when Aeneas shows pietas are when he carries his father out of Troy on his back and when he leaves Dido to follow the will of the Gods. He also demonstrates this virtue throughout his effort to lead his people to safety and comfort, and to establish a legacy for his son. Aeneas embodies the concept of pietas; because of this he will found a mighty empire. Thus Vergil presents pietas as the ultimate means of attaining honor, favor, and advancement in life.
ReplyDeleteThe one major theme of Aeneid is the origin and glory of Rome. Vergil portrayed that Romans are descendents of Trojan, by describing the journey of Aeneas and his building of empire. Vergil, in order to please and deify the emperor,specifically metioned Augustus. For example, Anchises poits out Augustus in the Underworld. Aeneas also sees Augustus marching Romans to battle on Vulcan's extraordinary shield.
ReplyDeleteMike will be doing comment.exe at later hour of day.
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One of the major themes of the Aeneid, as well as the driving force behind the entire epic, is destiny. Nothing can stop Aeneas from fulfilling his destiny; not Juno's multiple interventions, nor his own carelessness when he forgets fate after getting married. Another theme related to destiny is that of pietas. Aeneas knows that his destiny is to found Rome and shows his devotion to the gods by following Jupiter’s gentle reminder and committing himself to his task. He takes care of his people and has a strong bond with both his father and his son and this shows his devotion to both his homeland and his family.
ReplyDeleteOne them running throughout the Aeneid is the power of the gods. Juno, Jove and Aeolus all have tremendous impacts on the story, Juno's maximus ire for Aeneas, Jove's interventions, and Aeolus messing around with the winds, we see that while the epic hero has some control over his actions, he cannot control the gods'. Another important tidbit from the Aeneid is the powerless nature of mortals. While the gods can all do whatever they please without fear of punishment or failure, the mortals of the story (spec. Aeneas) have a detailed agenda to run. Aeneas has to found rome, fight off Juno, sail around, anger some gods, and do all of this while staying alive. Aeneas not only does not have control over these tasks but also cannot control the consequences of completing. Sans the first, all of these seem to have a negative impact on him.
ReplyDeleteAeneas = no power/control/intimidation points
pardon the uber bad spelling. lol
ReplyDeleteim late whatev
ReplyDeletesorry i lose
question where did you pu the translations with the nice neat colors?? they're no longer on quia and they're not here either. cunfuzzled...
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