ipl-logo

Aeneas'shield In The Aeneid

589 Words3 Pages

Exercise Two At first glance, Virgil’s description of Aeneas’ shield in The Aeneid may just appear to be a conveyance of Roman history. However, Virgil only includes precise descriptions and details in his catalogue to conform the narrative to his desires for Aeneas and Aeneas’ future in battle. Therefore, the purpose the catalogue serves in the narrative is to not only give Aeneas a purpose to fight, but also the confidence to fight bravely. The last few words of the excerpt provides one of the functions of the catalogue within the narrative, as the narrator describes Aeneas’ recognition of the shield’s message by saying, “…he knows nothing of these events but takes delight in their likeness, lifting onto his shoulders now the fame and fates of all his children’s children” (8.856-858). The shield supplies Aeneas with a history of Rome “in all her triumphs” (8.739), which causes him to believe that without his bravery in battle, Rome will never achieve the rest of the successes that are its fate. One part of the shield even specifically pictures Aeneas’ “children’s children,” as the narrator describes their part in a battle against Lars Porsena saying, “…Aeneas’ heirs rushing headlong against the steel in freedom’s name” (8.760-761). The picture of Aeneas’ …show more content…

Aeneas takes solace in the fact that his heirs will continue to fight bravely, as shown on the shield. Furthermore, he knows that if he does not fight bravely for Rome, there will no longer be a Rome for his descendants to fight for, which inspires him. The shield also instills a certain confidence in Aeneas because he is shown several victories of Rome, including a battle that should not have been necessarily won. Venus’ gift to her son most definitely gives Aeneas the added drive he needs to greatly achieve in

Show More
Related

  • Importance Of Stoicism In Aeneas

    839 Words  | 4 Pages

    Aeneas exemplifies the ideal of Stoicism by practicing the cardinal virtues in his daily life.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Aeneid And Sallust's Conspiracy Of Catiline

    938 Words  | 4 Pages

    These mythical individuals show characteristics that are both valued and those that could be seen as inferior. In Sallust’s Conspiracy of Catiline, Catiline, the antagonist of his own story, is described as having some of these characteristics and how he displays them changes others perspective on him. With each of these characteristics that a Roman would have seen as positive were painted in a negative light because Sallust tells the audience instances where Catiline used these gifts in harmful ways. In contrast Aeneas, in Virgil’s Aeneid, is described and assigned what are thought of as the same Roman attributes, but these are held a positive approach compared to Sallust’s description of Catiline. The first example of this can be seen in the fifth section Sallust tells the audience of Catiline’s noble upbringing and is described as intelligent, ambitious, and as a brilliant solider.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast The Aeneid And The Confessions

    1787 Words  | 8 Pages

    Aeneas is seen as a model of piety, but he is living in a sinful relationship with his mistress Dido, the queen of Carthage. In The Confessions, St. Augustine tells of his spiritual journey from his adolescence when he had no interest in virtue or Christianity

    Read More

  • Greek Heroes Vs Roman Heroes

    2304 Words  | 10 Pages

    Aeneas being a decedent from Troy and thus is he seen as an associate of the royal house of Troy. In the Iliad Aeneas is an important warrior in the Trojan war. However, Aeneas most significant role is through Virgil’s Aeneid, where Virgil made the arrival and settlement of Aeneas in Italy the main theme in his story. Aeneas was born near to tear, on mount Ida, he was given to his father Archallis at the age of five. During the Trojan war he lead the troops of Dardanian, but still under Hectors demands.

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Justice In The Oresteia By Aeschylus

    1448 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Oresteia is a trilogy written by the Greek author Aeschylus that comprises of three plays; Agamemnon, the libation bearers, and the Eumenides. The central theme of this book is “justice” which in the case of Orestes has led to exile. This book was written at a time when the star of Athens was in decline. It was a time that marked the establishment of a new socio- political order, a democracy adjudicated by the rule of law. This rule of law meant the institutionalization of justice (i.e. having a justice system), where cases are heard and verdicts are being reached based on evidence.

    Read More

  • Oresteia And The Odyssey Essay

    1334 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Odyssey revolves around a household without its master, Odysseus, who has been lost for 10 years. Despite that, Agamemnons’ death by his faithless wife isn’t the main focus of the Odyssey, but it is still frequently mentioned. Aegisthus can be thought of as the suitors who are seen at the beginning of the Odyssey feasting and sipping wine all day. His affair with Clytemnestra, his murder of Agamemnon and then later on, his death by Agamemnons’ son Orestes, foreshadows the inevitable death waiting to consume the suitors’ lives for their efforts to destroy Odysseus household. The stories set up is similar in a way that there are two returning heroes, Agamemnon and Odysseus, their sons, Orestes and Telemachus, and their wives, Clytemnestra and Penelope respectively.

    Read More

  • Livy's The History Of Rome: Book Analysis

    1258 Words  | 6 Pages

    In ancient history Romans have always been the dominant force that would build itself back up and strengthen into a major civilization for hundreds of years to come. Although, what a lot of people don’t know is how the Romans initially began or perceived to be created as a people that was born from mythological stories that tied into their own culture at the time. Titus Livius (Livy) was an historian that wrote many books on the history of Rome, but today we will only go through an English translation from 1919 of Livy’ first book. We will be discussing what happened (what was written down as the origin of Rome), some interesting points in the text, and analyze the way Livy wrote/structured his work. Let’s start with a summary of what the book is about.

    Read More

  • Violence In The Aeneid

    1343 Words  | 6 Pages

    Throughout the epic, violence is evident in the actions and the decision making of the characters in order to obtain peace. The battles and suicides throughout the story are prevalent and gruesome, while moments of peace are minor and fleeting. The characters, whether man or god, result to violence as a primary way to manage their problems. Aeneas is strong, heroic, and seems calm; however, he does not receive true peace and calmness until he has killed his enemy, Turnus, to end the battle and avenge his friend, Pallas. Nonetheless, Aeneas is a noble character who overcomes bad odds and embodies Roman ideals, including violence.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Shield In The Iliad

    653 Words  | 3 Pages

    Achilles’ shield takes on a much more broader view on the universe than Aeneas’. The figures on Achilles’ shield show the Achaean way of life, Which was the reason the Trojan War was being fought. Aeneas’ shield shows the story ofRome, which is the reason he was fighting. We can conclude that Virgil based Aeneas’ shield offofAchilles’ shield. One ofthe more obvious examples ofVirgil’s use ofHomeric intertextuality in the

    Read More

  • Figurative Language In Homer's The Odyssey

    1124 Words  | 5 Pages

    This simile increases the way the Cyclops is seen as powerful figure. The example of figurative language here makes the audience imagine the scene in their minds therefore enriching the description of the scene. These descriptions help the text as a whole feel more immediate to the reader. This has enabled The Odyssey to transcend the test of

    Read More

  • Passion And Control In Virgil's The Aeneid

    972 Words  | 4 Pages

    When the poet Virgil wrote the national epic The Aeneid between 29 and 19 BC, all written works and conduits for creative expression were monitored by Roman ruler Augustus Caesar – a real-life contention between passion and control. Throughout the excerpt on pages 139 and 140 of Fagle’s translation (which covers themes such as fate, the gods, and divine intervention, and piety), Virgil explores the underlying theme of conflict between desire and duty, emotion, and reason. Exploring irony, the comparison of Dido and Aeneas’ traits, and pietas being a decision, Virgil shows Aeneas to be a flawed, enigmatic epic Roman hero who personifies the human conflict – passion versus control – of the Aeneid and the Roman empire itself. To begin with, it’s

    Read More

  • The 12 Stages Of The Hero's Journey In The Odyssey

    884 Words  | 4 Pages

    Aeolus refused to help them again and once again prevented them from getting to Ithaca. It should be noted that Aeolus was one of the characters who changed archetypes, at first he was an ally but then became a threshold guardian. Almost following these events, the men met a woman named Circe. They were intrigued by her beauty and kindness as well as their starvation. Then, Circe invites them into her home for a meal.

    Read More

  • Aeneas Vs Odysseus

    626 Words  | 3 Pages

    However, their character as men are not alike; Aeneas is very “duty-driven”, while Odysseus is driven mainly by his own self-interest. Virgil makes his character, Aeneas, an opposite to Odysseus in this way to express the difference between their cultures. To start, both men, Odysseus and Aeneas, are on a journey. After the war is fought and has ended, Odysseus is attempting to return

    Read More

  • Theme Of Piety In The Aeneid

    1205 Words  | 5 Pages

    The virtue of piety was a defining characteristic in Roman life, Romans carried out their everyday lives in accordance of the ideas of pietas which is one’s duty to their family, God, and people; these Roman values are displayed in Virgil’s The Aeneid through the actions of the character Aeneas, and challenged further in the Gospel of Matthew by Jesus Christ. The word “pietas” is a Latin word that means dutifulness, and refers to the balanced duty to a person’s family, gods, and people in Roman culture. The Romans believed that for these duties to be upheld then it must be implemented in one’s everyday life, and this belief of the Romans separated them from other ancient societies. In The Aeneid, Aeneas engages in all aspects of pietas throughout his journey to Italy to become the ancestor to the city of Rome.

    Read More

  • Homer And Virgil: A Comparative Analysis

    1128 Words  | 5 Pages

    The contrasting intent between the two poems are heightened within the description of the hero's’ shields. Aeneas’ shield portrays the glorious accomplishments that future Rome will achieve.(Mastin). His shield solely revolves around the future of Rome. But Achilles shield is more cynical, it depicts what was occuring during the Siege of Troy and seems to mostly display the detriment of war. (“Iliad”).Considering that The Aeneid is political propaganda, it should come as no surprise to the reader that Aeneas’ shield caters to the Roman delusion that their empire is

    Read More

More about Aeneas'shield In The Aeneid

Open Document