FREE ESSAY ON AENIED

AENIED

Many argue that throughout Aenied, Virgil develops Aeneas to be a boring and unheroic
character; always acting as he should with apparently no power to act in any other way.
Occasionally sidetracked, Aeneas is prodded and redirected by the gods toward his
destiny. Aeneas' mother, Venus, constantly interjects to lead Aeneas toward his fate. It
is she who leads him away from the fallen city of Troy " I had twice-ten ships, and my
goddess-mother showed me the way."(I, 541-542) Mercury also sets Aeneas straight from his
deviating course by telling him to leave his love Dido "What are you pondering or hoping
for while squandering your ease in Libyan lands." (IV, 362-363) Mercury criticizes Aeneas
for ignoring the importance of his empire, and again Aeneas obeys. It is further argued
that Aeneas' makes no significant effort to advance his empire's fate. He is "handed" all
that is needed such as immortal vessels as well as weapons and armor provided by Vulcan
and other gods. At first glance this would seemingly prove that Aeneas is in fact a
boring character. 
Upon deeper investigation of the text the true value of Aeneas' character can be
revealed. Not all of what Aeneas does is driven by the gods. There is in fact a
humanistic aspect of Aeneas creating physical and emotional strife which he must endure
by himself "I sing of arms and of a man: his fate had made him fugitive." Virgil is quick
to show that Aeneas is but a mortal man with human qualities. It is these human aspects
of Aeneas: his leadership, his emotional strengths, and his heroism that make him a
crucial and interesting character in the Aeneid.
Leadership is one of the first humanistic qualities that Aeneas is given to create a
sense of realism and excitement within his character. Leadership often arises in times of
total anarchy and chaos, as was the case in the Aeneid when Trojan forces siege Troy. In
the confusion of war, Aeneas naturally rises to a role of leadership. Aeneas had a dream
in which Hector spoke to him, telling him that the city has been infiltrated. Climbing to
his roof, Aeneas saw Troy in flames, and fighting everywhere. Aeneas immediately prepares
himself for battle. "Insane, I seize my weapons. There's no sense in weapons, yet my
spirit burns to gather a band for battle, to rush out against the citadel with my
companions." (II, 428 - 431). Aeneas' words show a natural passion for leadership in
order to defend the city and his companions. But Aeneas' leadership is not limited to
times of warfare. 
Once Aeneas had escaped to safety it becomes clear that the people of Troy also
recognized his leadership qualities. They look to Aeneas for strength and for guidance,
putting their lives in his hands willing to be lead with blind devotion. "Here I find, to
my surprise, new comrades come together, vast numbers, men and women, joined for exile,
with courage and with riches they are ready for any lands across the seas where I may
lead them."(II, 1072-1078) With such open devotion from the people of Troy, Virgil is
illustrating the importance of Aeneas. 
Virgil also develops the reader's interest in his character of Aeneas, by showing the
mortal side of the valiant leader. In order to instill confidence in his followers Aeneas
must maintain coolness, showing no fear. What makes his character more interesting is
that Virgil reveals to the reader that Aeneas does doubt himself, that he is in fact
weary of his future despite what the gods have told him. "These are his words; though
sick with heavy cares, he counterfeits hope in his face; his pain is held within,
hidden."(I, 290-292) Though quite effective, the humanistic quality of leadership is not
the only stratagem that Virgil uses to give Aeneas the quality of an interesting
character.
The next tactic that Virgil uses to create an interesting character is by revealing
Aeneas' emotional strength as he is forced to disregard his love and leave Dido behind.
Juno sees an opportunity to keep Aeneas from going to Italy, and takes advantage, sending
Cupid to kindle Dido's love for Aeneas. "I shall unite the two in certain marriage and
seal her as Aeneas' very own; and this shall be there wedding". (IV, 167- 169) Virgil has
the gods stall destiny in order to reflect Aeneas' "uncertain" fate to the reader; his
future may very well be undecided and not set in stone as previously inferred. 
Virgil adds interest to Aeneas' character when Mercury came to Aeneas warning him he must
continue his destiny. Dido finds out the Aeneas is leaving she is infuriated, scolding
Aeneas "Deceiver, did you even hope to hide so harsh a crime, to leave this land of mine
without a word."(IV, 410-412) But Aeneas holds strong with little compassion toward the
distraught Dido. "I have never held the wedding torches as a husband; I have never
entered into such agreement."(IV, 457-459) Virgil depicts Aeneas to be unaffected by his
decision to leave. However, he manages to give the reader a glimpse of Aeneas' true
emotions in order to further develop interest in Aeneas' character. "But Aeneas, warned
by Jove, held still his eyes: he struggled, pressed care back within his breasts. With
halting words he answers her at last." (IV, 446-449) The true struggle of what Aeneas
puts behind him for the will of the gods is show just before he leaves.
"But though he longs to soften, soothe her sorrow and turn aside her trouble with sweet
word, though groaning long and shaken in his mind because of great love, nevertheless
pious Aeneas carries out the gods instructions." (IV, 540-550)
Virgil shows an emotional struggle between what Aeneas is destined for and what he
desires, to draw the reader into the complexity of his character. Virgil furthers the
reader's interest in his character of Aeneas by making him the heroin in the climax of
the novel.
Juno, unable to prevent Aeneas from reaching the Promised Land, vows to delay the
founding of their city and cause them further pain. To do this she turns Amata, the wife
of Latimus, against the arranged marriage to Aeneas. "The goddess cast a snake deep in
Amata's secret breast ... its first infection, penetrating with damn poison, has gripped
her senses and entwined her bones in fire. (VI.458-470) Turnus furious at the idea of
losing Lavinia and having to bow down to a Trojan king, gathers together his army for
war. Virgil uses Turnus because he is very much like Aeneas in the sense that they are
both respected leaders and heroes. Virgil is creating one of the greatest tests Aeneas
has had to face in order to prove to the reader, if he succeeds, that he is an
outstanding and interesting character. 
Heroism is one last point that Virgil uses to show the how crucial and interesting Aeneas
is in the novel. Jupiter is angered by the fighting between Aeneas and Turnus' forces and
calls for a counsel of the gods to discuss the problem of war. He is disappointed in the
other gods, particularly Juno for going against his wishes of peace and for quarrelling
amongst each other. In the conclusion of the counsel Jupiter decides that no god shall
help either side What each man does will shape his trial and fortune. For Jupiter is King
of all alike; the Fates will find their way. (X, 160-162) Virgil clearly shows that the
gods will play no further role in the outcome of the battle to prove the human heroics of
Aeneas. Without the help of the gods, Virgil illustrates Aeneas' true passion and will to
succeed using his own natural strengths. Virgil gives Aeneas god like power in battle
bringing enemies to there knees begging to be spared, to show that Aeneas has the power
of a god, thus defeating any doubts that the reader has of a boring character. 
When it is argued that Aeneas was just "handed" everything by the gods, the fact that not
all of the gods were in support of him is often overlooked. Although many gods steer
Aeneas toward his destiny, Virgil adds complexity to his character by introducing gods
who wish not to see Aeneas succeed along with a slew of obstacles. He does this in order
to spark the reader's interest in his hero's successes, which may not necessarily be set
in stone. The dangers that Aeneas and his crew face are real, even if it is know that he
will survive them. There is in fact a humanistic aspect of Aeneas that is revealed by
creating physical and emotional strife, which he must endure by himself. It is these
human aspects of Aeneas: his leadership, his emotional strengths, and his heroism that
make him a crucial and interesting character in the Aeneid.