StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Fate in The Aeneid - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Fate in The Aeneid" tells us about the plight of Aeneas and the Trojans, as they fled from their destroyed city, and get washed out to Dido’s North African city of Carthage. They also travel to the underworld at Cumae, near Naples…
Download free paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.7% of users find it useful
Fate in The Aeneid
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Fate in The Aeneid"

25 June Fate in The Aeneid Virgil’s The Aeneid narrates the plight of Aeneas and the Trojans, as they fled from their destroyed city, and get washed out to Dido’s North African city of Carthage. They also travel to the underworld at Cumae, near Naples, to learn more about their future. Books 1 to 6 have parallels to The Odyssey, because Aeneas goes through numerous ordeals like Odysseus, where his skills and intelligence, as well as the assistance from Venus, help him and his people survive their every tribulation. Unlike Odysseus, Aeneas is responsible for the fate of his people and several times, Vergil differentiates between what Aeneas wants and what fate necessitates him to do. In The Aeneid, human beings lack free will, because the gods have ordained their fates, and those that the gods favor, like Aeneas, will be destined to greatness, despite the sacrifices and troubles he has to endure. Fate brings people to their destinies, even if their personal preferences clash with divine will. Jupiter tells Venus that Aeneas is destined to rule Italy. He stresses that Aeneas will soon win his battles in life: “In Italy shall wage successful war,/Shall tame fierce nations in the bloody field,/ And sov'reign laws impose, and cities build” (Virgil Book 1). He says this to calm Venus’ fears for Juno. He continues to narrate the rise of Rome and its great emperors: “Then Romulus his grandsire's throne shall gain,/Of martial tow'rs the founder shall become,/The people Romans call, the city Rome./To them no bounds of empire I assign” (Virgil Book 1). His speech indicates that the gods have long planned the fates of humanity- including their rise to and fall from power. Virgil demonstrates that the jpurney of Rome to its apex is a product of Jupiter’s will. The Ghost of Anchises also reveals to Aeneas, the future great Roman leaders, such as: “Silvius Aeneas, for thy name he bears;/For arms and justice equally renown'd,/Who, late restor'd, in Alba shall be crown'd” (Virgil Book 6). They also see the first roman emperor, Caesar: “The mighty Caesar waits his vital hour,/ Impatient for the world, and grasps his promis'd pow'r” (Virgil Book 6). Fate is binding and permanent and no one can change it. Even if Aeneas wants to do things his way, he cannot, because he has to follow the gods and promote the interests of his people. He reluctantly leaves Troy, for instance, before it is captured. He prefers fighting and dying for Troy: “Resolv'd on death, resolv'd to die in arms” (Virgil Book 2). But the Ghost of Hector already warns him that Troy is lost. Moreover, when Aeneas sees the Ghost of Dido, he feels remorse that she committed suicide because of him: “Unwilling I forsook your friendly state,/Commanded by the gods, and forc'd by fate-/Those gods, that fate, whose unresisted might/ Have sent me to these regions void of light” (Virgil Book 6). He asserts that many of his actions are done, because of compliance to what the gods want. Several ghosts help Aeneas along the way, where they serve as the means of attaining his destiny. The Ghost of Creusa gives instructions to her husband. She says: “On Latium's happy shore you shall be cast,/Where gentle Tiber from his bed beholds/The flow'ry meadows, and the feeding folds./There end your toils; and there your fates provide” (Virgil Book 2). In this land, he will acquire his new kingdom and new wife. She no longer thinks of her lost life, but for the glory that her husband will attain for the Trojans. The Ghost of Hector, in addition, informs Aeneas that Troy will soon be captured. He tells him to leave and to find a new city for them, which is assured, since it is in the will of the gods: “Now Troy to thee commends her future state,/And gives her gods companions of thy fate” (Virgil Book 2). Aeneas brings with him the Lares and Penates, the statues of the household gods of Troy, and transported them to Italy. It shows his gratitude to the gods that give him good fortune, however complex his challenges might be, and even if he is half-hearted in leaving his birthplace. The gods decree misfortune too, and Aeneas and his people will have to go through numerous tribulations before they arrive at Italy and build their own kingdom. The Trojans stole livestock, which belonged to the Harpies. They are grimy flying creatures with women’s faces. Celaeno, the queen of the Harpies, tells that them they are fated to reach Italy, but they are also destined to suffer along the way: “Th' Italian shores are granted you to find,…But know, that ere your promis'd walls you build,/My curses shall severely be fulfill'd./ Fierce famine is your lot for this misdeed,/Reduc'd to grind the plates on which you feed” (Virgil Book 3). Since she also has powers, she can inflict hurdles along the fate of mankind. The gods also control tragedies, even for well-known and good people. Marcellus, for instance, is destined to die young and to never reach his full potential: “This youth (the blissful vision of a day)/ Shall just be shown on earth, and snatch'd away” (Virgil Book 6). Hence, the gods bring success and misfortune to people. They alone can control their lives. Fate serves to assert the power of the gods over people. The Aeneid demonstrates the sharp difference between Aeneas’ personal preferences and his destiny. He cannot do what he wants, for he must follow the prophecies and advices of the ghosts he meets. These are oracles of his future, which is intertwined with the destiny of his people. He has a grand destiny, but the responsibility of ensuring its materialization also burdens him, especially when along the way, he loses family and friends. Nevertheless, Aeneas cannot surrender to his sorrows and weaknesses. His fate is sealed and he cannot overturn it. And Rome- it awaits his leadership. Work Cited Virgil. The Aeneid. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Viking, 2006. Print. Read More
Tags
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Fate in The Aeneid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/literature/1453527-virgil-the-aeneid-translated-by-robert-fagles
(Fate in The Aeneid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
https://studentshare.org/literature/1453527-virgil-the-aeneid-translated-by-robert-fagles.
“Fate in The Aeneid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/literature/1453527-virgil-the-aeneid-translated-by-robert-fagles.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Fate in The Aeneid

Virgil The Aeneid and Dante The Inferno

Name Instructor Class 8 July 2012 Sinners and Death in the aeneid and Inferno Several ancient and modern writers explore the depths of the afterlife, where they attempt to make sense of Hell and Paradise, specifically its inner contents.... in the aeneid, Virgil presents several characters in better light, where they are treated as victims of their fates; on the contrary, in Inferno, Dante depicts the same characters as true sinners, who deserve their tragic experiences and endings....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Aeneas Is the Hero of Virgils Aeneid

The paper "Aeneas Is the Hero of Virgil's aeneid" describes that Virgil meant the lines to be removed.... Aeneas is the hero of Virgil's aeneid.... fate decrees that he reaches Italy.... The epic poem opens with the following lines which state that it is Aeneas' destiny to father the race that is to rule Rome: 'Arms, and the man I sing, who, forc'd by fate,/....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

The Iliad by Homer and The Aeneid by Virgil

onor in the aeneid is not individualistic.... in the aeneid, Aeneas' journey is predestined and unalterable to Italy.... The Iliad by Homer and the aeneid by Virgil are two time-honored classics referred to as epics.... he Iliad and the aeneid contain numerous similarities.... n Book XII of the aeneid, Aeneas displays honor by agreeing to single combat to save the lives of many.... fate in these stories involves two parts....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

The Aeneid Written by Virgil

The paper "the aeneid Written by Virgil" discusses that gods and destiny are shown to influence the course of events.... fate sends him to Italy.... fate has destined Aeneas for Latium, but Juno is opposed to him and delays him.... Aeneas, though a heroic character in that he continues to strive and sacrifice personal happiness, is nevertheless a pawn in the hands of the gods....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Aeneid Symbolism and Augustan Regime

The triumphs, conquests, challenges, and agonies that Aeneas endures are captured in a manner that casts the hero into some form of a superhuman favored by both the gods and fate in the pursuit of a priceless glory.... The author identifies to what extent the aeneid symbolism is of the Augustan regime and the association between Augustus and Aeneas.... The author states that the connection between the aeneid and the Augustan regime is evident in the parallels between events, characters, and the poet's experiences....
8 Pages (2000 words) Book Report/Review

Manhood and Glory in the Aeneid

The essay "Manhood and Glory in the aeneid" focuses on the critical analysis of the major issues in manhood and glory in the aeneid.... War is an everlasting Roman tradition that was used to prove both manhood and glory as noted in Virgil's epic poem aeneid.... aeneid is a fine literary text by Virgil depicting the conquest s of a Trojan hero.... Overall, while conquests were important, they were not worth the bloody vengeance found in aeneid....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Comparison of the Iliad, Odyssey and Aeneid

The relationship of the gods, humans and Fate in The Aeneid, Iliad and Odyssey has both subtle similarities and differences.... Although the aeneid, Iliad and Odyssey have their differences, their importance is considered for the historical values and some of the historical accounts stated in these ancient literary works.... This essay "Comparison of the Iliad, Odyssey and aeneid" comprehensively delves into the differences and similarities in the connection among humans, gods and fate....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Aeneas as the Main Character in Aeneid

he form of the aeneid is similar to that of the Odyssey in that both are tales of heroes who set out searching for glory according to the will of the gods.... Both the aeneid and Odyssey strongly view the actions of individuals in their societies in terms of good and evil.... This assignment "Aeneas as the Main Character in aeneid" focuses on Aeneas, the main character in Vergil's aeneid.... This was his fate, which drives and motivates his actions....
4 Pages (1000 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us