Post by artsykat on Oct 27, 2016 1:40:43 GMT
Kateri Mouawad
GB 102
Christopher Martin
10/25/2016
BLESSINGS OF THE GODS
The Aeneid is an epic poem told by Virgil, which takes place in ancient Rome. Following the same premise as Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey, The Aeneid recounts the start of the Roman Empire. Throughout the text, there are many instances in which certain characters have found favor with a god or goddess. However, there are numerous examples, as well, in which a god’s favor was generally harmful for said person, yet advantageous for said god. This paper will discuss the fact that one who appears to be blessed by a god is in fact covertly afflicted, as are their loved ones, and the result is usually only in favor of the god. This will be done by using selected examples from The Aeneid. The significance of this paper is to realize that when one is assisted by a god, the outcome of this partnership will benefit the god exclusively, and will leave the character and their loved ones in worse conditions than before.
Aeneas, the leading protagonist, shall be the first and foremost example that will be used. The Aeneid starts out with Aeneas and his crew sailing through a terrible storm. This was caused by Juno, queen of the gods, who wanted nothing more than to see Aeneas fail his mission. She desired this for numerus reasons, the main one being that there was a prophesy stating that Aeneas, a Trojan, would bring destruction to Carthage—Juno’s favorite city—and the rise to the greatest empire in history. This fate was inevitable, as Jove, king of the gods, stated: “Aeneas will wage a long, costly war in Italy, crush defiant tribes and build high city walls for his people there and found the rule of law.” Here, it is seen that Aeneas will receive great glory and power, for he has become acknowledged by the gods, more importantly, the king of the gods.
However, due to the tempest, Aeneas and his crew ended up at a kingdom named Carthage, ruled by the queen Dido. There, they are lost and unable to find their way. Yet, Venus, the goddess of love and Aeneas’ own mother saw the struggle and uncertainty they were going through. Thus, Venus, shot down from the heavens, came to earth, and took the form of a huntress. She then offered directions to Carthage, which Aeneas and his crew seized with much vigor, and started toward the city. Upon arrival, the Queen Dido took them in and offered hospitality.
As time went on, Juno grasped this as a great opportunity to stop Aeneas from completing his destiny by having Dido and Aeneas fall in love. Juno was unable do this alone, hence, she requested the help of Venus. Venus just couldn’t refuse, for whenever she found a chance to spread love, no matter the circumstances, Venus would do it, for it always profited
her. Because of this, Aeneas and Dido fell in love and remained happy for the time being.
However, when Jove turned his gaze towards Aeneas, he wasn’t happy with what he saw. Jove knew that Aeneas needed to complete his destiny, which is why he sent Mercury, messenger of the gods, to deliver Aeneas a message to get a move on, and journey to Italy. An example of this can be viewed here, with Mercury addressing Aeneas: “The King of the Gods, whose power sways earth and sky—he is the one who sends me down from brilliant Olympus, bearing commands for you through the racing winds. What are you plotting now? Wasting time in Libya—what hope misleads you so? If such a glorious destiny cannot fire your spirit, at least remember Ascanius rising into his prime, the hopes you lodge in Iulus, your own heir—you owe him Italy’s realm, the land of Rome!” Now given a sharp reminder of what he needed to do, Aeneas and his crew started to ready their fleet and prepared to leave. Aeneas, torn about fulfilling his mission and his love for Dido, decided to leave without informing the Queen, but to no avail, for she found out anyways. Aeneas left early the next day, and Dido, out of fierce love and rage, committed suicide.
Now, what is seen here in this summarization is a great amount of intercession by the gods. Venus just couldn’t resist influencing Aeneas and Dido to love each other, despite the fact that she knew that it would delay, or possibly stop, Aeneas from fulfilling his quest. While she was supposedly trying to aid Aeneas along his journey, it was extremely unnecessary for him to be involved such a relationship. For Venus, however, doing this was for her own entertainment.
GB 102
Christopher Martin
10/25/2016
BLESSINGS OF THE GODS
The Aeneid is an epic poem told by Virgil, which takes place in ancient Rome. Following the same premise as Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey, The Aeneid recounts the start of the Roman Empire. Throughout the text, there are many instances in which certain characters have found favor with a god or goddess. However, there are numerous examples, as well, in which a god’s favor was generally harmful for said person, yet advantageous for said god. This paper will discuss the fact that one who appears to be blessed by a god is in fact covertly afflicted, as are their loved ones, and the result is usually only in favor of the god. This will be done by using selected examples from The Aeneid. The significance of this paper is to realize that when one is assisted by a god, the outcome of this partnership will benefit the god exclusively, and will leave the character and their loved ones in worse conditions than before.
Aeneas, the leading protagonist, shall be the first and foremost example that will be used. The Aeneid starts out with Aeneas and his crew sailing through a terrible storm. This was caused by Juno, queen of the gods, who wanted nothing more than to see Aeneas fail his mission. She desired this for numerus reasons, the main one being that there was a prophesy stating that Aeneas, a Trojan, would bring destruction to Carthage—Juno’s favorite city—and the rise to the greatest empire in history. This fate was inevitable, as Jove, king of the gods, stated: “Aeneas will wage a long, costly war in Italy, crush defiant tribes and build high city walls for his people there and found the rule of law.” Here, it is seen that Aeneas will receive great glory and power, for he has become acknowledged by the gods, more importantly, the king of the gods.
However, due to the tempest, Aeneas and his crew ended up at a kingdom named Carthage, ruled by the queen Dido. There, they are lost and unable to find their way. Yet, Venus, the goddess of love and Aeneas’ own mother saw the struggle and uncertainty they were going through. Thus, Venus, shot down from the heavens, came to earth, and took the form of a huntress. She then offered directions to Carthage, which Aeneas and his crew seized with much vigor, and started toward the city. Upon arrival, the Queen Dido took them in and offered hospitality.
As time went on, Juno grasped this as a great opportunity to stop Aeneas from completing his destiny by having Dido and Aeneas fall in love. Juno was unable do this alone, hence, she requested the help of Venus. Venus just couldn’t refuse, for whenever she found a chance to spread love, no matter the circumstances, Venus would do it, for it always profited
her. Because of this, Aeneas and Dido fell in love and remained happy for the time being.
However, when Jove turned his gaze towards Aeneas, he wasn’t happy with what he saw. Jove knew that Aeneas needed to complete his destiny, which is why he sent Mercury, messenger of the gods, to deliver Aeneas a message to get a move on, and journey to Italy. An example of this can be viewed here, with Mercury addressing Aeneas: “The King of the Gods, whose power sways earth and sky—he is the one who sends me down from brilliant Olympus, bearing commands for you through the racing winds. What are you plotting now? Wasting time in Libya—what hope misleads you so? If such a glorious destiny cannot fire your spirit, at least remember Ascanius rising into his prime, the hopes you lodge in Iulus, your own heir—you owe him Italy’s realm, the land of Rome!” Now given a sharp reminder of what he needed to do, Aeneas and his crew started to ready their fleet and prepared to leave. Aeneas, torn about fulfilling his mission and his love for Dido, decided to leave without informing the Queen, but to no avail, for she found out anyways. Aeneas left early the next day, and Dido, out of fierce love and rage, committed suicide.
Now, what is seen here in this summarization is a great amount of intercession by the gods. Venus just couldn’t resist influencing Aeneas and Dido to love each other, despite the fact that she knew that it would delay, or possibly stop, Aeneas from fulfilling his quest. While she was supposedly trying to aid Aeneas along his journey, it was extremely unnecessary for him to be involved such a relationship. For Venus, however, doing this was for her own entertainment.