Aeneas As A Hero And Leader Essay - 1644 Words

Throughout Virgil’s Aeneid, Aeneas is often confronted with situations where he must sacrifice his personal happiness in order to ensure the future of the shattered Trojan community. Aeneas’ persistent adherence to his own destiny, along with his unceasing concern for the welfare of his Trojan people, defines his sense of duty throughout his journeys. Driven constantly by intense passion and deep emotion, Aeneas fortifies his sense of duty and fraternal love for his fellow Trojans and allies, but at the same time fails to retain this sense and compassion for his fellow man. Through Aeneas, Virgil highlights the darker undertones of Augustan rule. In his journey, Aeneas encounters a multitude of trials and tribulations, each refining an integral characteristic of his role as a hero and leader. â€Å"Duty-bound Aeneas†, as Virgil regularly describes him, chooses to end his affair with the Carthaginian Queen Dido, appointing duty to a higher level of importance than love (I.519). The remorse displayed by Aeneas as he placates her spirit in the Underworld demonstrates his sincere regret for having hurt her. With regards to Dido, Aeneas chooses to fulfill his divine responsibility rather than succumb to emotion. However, in his struggle with the Latins, Aeneas displays inconsistent behavior and a lack of such a defined moral code, culminating in the killing of Turnus. Turnus pleads with Aeneas to return his body to his father , yet instead of honoring Turnus’ request for a properShow MoreRelatedAeneas as a Hero and Leader Essay1057 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Immediately Aeneas’ limbs grow weak with cold: he groans, and stretching both hands to the stars cries out in with these words: â€Å"O three and four times blessed, you who were permitted to die before the faces of your fathers, beneath the lofty walls of Troy! O Diomedes, bravest of the race of Greeks! Why could I not have perished on the Trojan plain, and have poured out my life at your right hand, where fierce Hector lies by the spear of Achilles, where great Sarpedon, where the river Simois rollsRead MoreThe Downfall Of Greece And The Rise Of Rome1659 Words   |  7 PagesRise of Rome: How Odysseus and Aeneas Reflect History More often than not, it is the direction of a great leader that is responsible for shaping the ideals of the culture which is being led. In ancient history, these admirable leaders rose to power through their success as war heroes. A war hero is many great things: courageous, selfless, and loyal. It is often a hero who is responsible for the fate of their country. Odysseus of The Odyssey by Homer and Aeneas of The Aeneid by Virgil are noRead MoreCompare And Contrast Achilles And Aeneas1263 Words   |  6 PagesHeroes of Opposing Audiences A comparison of Homer’s Achilles and Virgil’s Aeneas brings up the question concerning what makes someone an epic hero. 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From the beginning of TheRead MoreAeneas, The Titular Hero Of Virgil s Aeneid1426 Words   |  6 PagesAeneas, the titular hero of Virgil’s Aeneid, is the flawed Trojan hero sent on a divine quest to found the new Troy and establish the basis for the Roman Empire. Along this journey, he is pushed to his limits both mentally and physically. This strain shows him to be a deeply Roman hero, especially in the values that come forward in his actions and response to tragedy. He embodies two major Roman values: pietas and respect for family, both past and future. One of the most important values thatRead MoreEpic Heroism And Values Of The Iliad1030 Words   |  5 Pagesthe image of Aeneas killing Turnus classify them as epic heroes. In the Greek epic poem the Iliad, Homer portrays Achilles as an enraged warrior fighting for revenge for a woman he loved. In the Roman epic poem the Aeneid, Virgil portrays Aeneas as fleeing the city of Troy to establish a new city. Achilles and Aeneas are epic heroes because they both show courage, boldness, and embody the ideals of their nation. Homer portrays Achilles as individualistic, while Virgil portrays Aeneas as valuingRead MoreRoma before Pax Romana1490 Words   |  6 PagesRomans not only of ancient time, but also of contemporary time to Vergil. Through contrast of Aeneas and Dido in patriotism and piety, Vergil takes side of Dido and criticizes Aeneas, who is epitomize values during Roman empire, implying that Vergil himself holds doubts on values set by Augustus. To start, Vergil uses Aeneas, a patriotic hero, to cast doubt on patriotism: is patriotism all that important? Aeneas is without a doubt a patriotic figure: he tries to protect falling Troy, deeply mourns forRead MoreThe Aeneid, The Hero Aeneas Essay1731 Words   |  7 PagesIn Virgil’s â€Å"Aeneid†, the hero Aeneas, a Trojan who traveled to Italy, is faced with a series of challenges. To overcome these challenges, Aeneas seeks help from the gods as he tries to make his way back home. In Homer’s â€Å"The Odyssey†, the hero Odysseus spends ten years trying to return to his homeland, Ithaca. Both heroes face similar challenges that they need to overcome in order to accomplish their goals. The Odyssey has two characters that hinder the hero’s journey; Calypso and Circe. The AeneidRead MoreThe Aeneid By Virgil. Johan Sunesson1701 Words   |  7 Pagesis a epic poem, following the adventures of the great Aeneas, as well as the central role he played in the founding of the Roman State. The character of Aeneas had been a known legend long before the Aeneid was composed, having been a character in the Iliad. Virgil took the myth of Aeneas and tied him together with the founding of the Roman State. Aeneas is both a hero of Rome and to Troy. He is the alleged son of Aphrodite and Anchises Aeneas was there at the siege of Troy, helping the Trojans defendRead MoreThe Aeneid is a poem written by the ancient Roman poet Virgil during the height of the Roman900 Words   |  4 Pagesage. The poem highlights the resiliency, bravery, and selflessness of Aeneas, a Trojan hero who leads his people away from Troy and on a journey to eventually found Rome. In the Aeneid, Virgil asserts the importance of one’s commitment to duty, and this assertion reveals that ancient Romans valued and admired one’s commitment to duty above all other character traits. In the beginning of Virgil’s Aeneid, a storm causes Aeneas’ ship to wreck near Carthage, a civilization located on the northern shore