Virgils The Aeneid

Aeneas Rome 's Poster Boy

The Aeneid is very different from the Odyssey in that it is noted for often implying meaning beyond just the narrative . Homeric narrative is recognized as being very straight forward , but Virgil 's work has garnered acclaim over time for not having the same simplistic narration The Aeneid is drenched in symbolic meaning often extending beyond the fictional epic into the historical relevance of real events . Through a compilation of deliberate symbols , motifs and theme promoted in the Aneid , Virgil is able to construct an epic that

has stood the test of time , but ultimately served as a political document paying homage to the greatness of Rome . The character of Aneas is not just the hero of Virgils epic but the hero and father of Rome in a document of political bias . Aeneas represents the prototype of the common Roman citizen and his every act is a symbolic implication of Roman greatness

Recurring images in the Aeneid like snakes , storms , wounds , fire hunting often have dual meanings throughout the narrative , but are used to imply deeper understanding of the story . For example , in book 1 Aeneas is a hunter of deer , but I book 4 Virgil uses a simile making him a metaphorical hunter of Dido in terms of their courtship , then he goes back to making him a real hunter when he takes her on a hunting trip These three forms of hunting one metaphorical , one without Dido and the third a real engagement with her tagging along , are all subtly placed in the narrative by Virgil to be connected back to one another . The opening of the Aeneid is declaratory of both the path of the story as well as the significance of the way the story is being told . It is also the point when the most important theme of the novel is presented . The theme fate , and more importantly the primal power of fate is a major theme that carries the story . It is Aeneas 's fate to establish the city of Rome he must do so by the will of the gods who favor him and therefore favor Rome as well

I sing of warfare and a man at war / From the sea-coast of Troy in early days / He came to Italy by destiny / To our Lavinian western shore /A fugitive , this captain , buffeted / Till he could found a city and bring home / His gods to Laetium , land of the Latin race / The Alban lords and the high walls of Rome / Tell me the causes now , O Muse , how galled / From her old wound , the queen of gods compelled him - / To undergo so many perilous days /And enter on so many trials . Can anger / Black as this prey on the minds of heaven (I .1-19

This is one of the more popular and traditionally quoted sections of the Aeneid , because it familiarizes the reader with the epic as a genre These opening lines serve as Virgil 's form of...