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In The Aeneid, Virgil uses many prophecies. They begin in the first few lines and last throughout the poem. Many are directed toward Aeneas, but some are to his relatives and friends. The prophecies shown allow the reader to better understand the situation and also provide insight about Rome. Prophecies are an important key to The Aeneid. Prophecies are very important to Virgil's The Aeneid.
Early on, Virgil does not hide what will happen, but instead, he allows the reader insight through many prophecies. In the first few lines, Juno makes the statement that generations born of Trojan blood would one day overthrow her Tyrian walls. (32). In predicting this, she allows us, the reader, to understand that all of the characters knows what is happening and it is just a matter of time before the Trojans will take over Carthage. The prophecy Virgil projects through Juno is not only a prophecy seen in the book, but Virgil also wants the reader to acknowledge that this prophecy is a representation of what will happen to Rome in the future. Also in Book I, still very near the beginning, another prophecy is seen.
During the storm (128), Aeneas is remembering all of the people he knew that died in the battle. He begins to pray for all of them and he asks why his life was not taken too. Aeneas wonders why all of the strong warriors died and his life was spared. Just as he is questioning this great mystery, another gust of wind takes many of the remaining ships under. Aeneas becomes even more confused because his ship is one of the only ones left on the sea. He is wondering why the gods are protecting him.
Then Neptune, god of the sea, appears and questions Aeneas thinking asking, Are you so sure your line is privileged? in line 181. Neptune warns Aeneas saying, youll pay a stricter penalty for your sins. (186). This statement made by Neptune provides much insight. Aeneas realizes that there is some reason that he is being protected, but he is still unclear about exactly why his life was spared.
Aeneas is also being warned about the future. His first instinct as he realized he was being saved may have been that he is going to do great things in the future, but when Neptune continues with his warning, Aeneas realizes this is not the case. He sees that his future is destined and there is nothing he can do to change it. His fate is predetermined. His privileged line began with his father, will continue through his son, and eventually lead to Julius Caesar. Also, the stricter penalty could be that he may think his life is difficult, but if he does not do as he is told, all of his future relatives will pay the price.
After all this has taken place, Neptune disappears, the storm calms, and the sunlight returns. Later, Jupiter sends a prophecy to Venus. In line 310, still in book one, she appeared, crying and confessed all of her fears. She knows that he is very powerful, in fact, the supreme god, and wants him to protect her and their family. After listening, Jupiter remains calm, kissed her, and assures her there is no need to be afraid. (347). In line 349, he shows the prophecy saying, As promised, you shall see Laviniums walls and take up, then, amid the stars of heaven great-souled Aeneas.
Jupiter tells Venus that Aeneas will fight a great battle and lead the way for his son, Ascanius, who will also become a great hero. This line of heros will continue until Caesar is born and then the fighting will end. This prophecy is Virgil's way of incorporating the history of Rome in the Aeneid. Virgil is able to use the history of Rome in predicting the future of Aeneas.
While Aeneas is visiting the Underworld, more prophecy about the future of Rome is seen. Aeneas father, Anchises speaks to Aeneas and tells him of all the great accomplishments of Rome that will happen because of Aeneas great beginning. Anchises tells a story predicting the future of Rome in which a leader won a battle and dedicated the win, To Father Romulus who was also a descendant of Aeneas. To stress the fact that it was not uncommon, Anchises says that it was the third time that a victory has been dedicated to his descendants. Through his prophecy, Anchises assures Aeneas that he must continue with his journey in order to secure the future line of descendants. Virgil sends his prophecies in many different ways.
There is not one specific individual that shows the prophecy throughout The Aeneid, but rather many. Some prophecies are sent through spoken conversation, but some, such as Juno's storm, are sent in other ways. No matter how they appear, Virgil uses them all the same: to envision future comings. Virgil's prophecies not only add interest, but they also give insight into The Aeneid and Rome. 1. What is the function of the major prophecies in the Aeneid? 2. How does Aeneas adventure in the underworld prepare him for the second half of the Aeneid? (Be sure to discuss the significant stages of his descent, the shades he meets, the manner of his exit, etc. ) Aeneas journey to the underworld as a turning point in the poem.
Prior to his journey to the underworld, Aeneas still seems somewhat oblivious to his fate. At Troy he has to be reminded that he must flee with the household gods; at Carthage he must be coaxed by Mercury to leave Dido for Italy. [THESE TWO EPISODES ARE CITED NOT SIMPLY TO SUMMARIZE THE PLOT, BUT TO SUPPORT THE AUTHORS POINT: AENEAS WAS OBLIVIOUS TO HIS FATE] At first glance, it might seem that Aeneas wants to go to the underworld to see his father for encouragement, or just because he misses him. I think Virgil uses the trip to show Aeneas (and the reader) the true meaning of his destiny. [THE AUTHOR MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION HERE BETWEEN THE POSSIBLE MOTIVES OF THE CHARACTER, AENEAS, AND THOSE OF THE AUTHOR, VIRGIL. THAT SHOWS A MORE SOPHISTICATED READING OF THE POEM] By showing Aeneas the heroes of Rome in the underworld in such a dramatic way, he helps Aeneas fully develop into the Stoic Roman hero that he must become. Aeneas must sacrifice his own wants and wishes to become the father of the Romans. [THE AUTHOR AT LEAST ALLUDES TO SEVERAL IMPORTANT ISSUES DISCUSSED IN CLASS AND HIGHLIGHTED IN THE PROCOPY PACKET: THE MAKING OF A ROMAN HERO, THE THEME OF SACRIFICE, AND AENEAS ROLE AS FATHER OF THE ROMAN PEOPLE] The journey to the underworld is also an opportunity for Virgil to comment on the heroes of Rome for the reader, heroes that would have been contemporary to the reader, such as Augustus and his nephew. Aeneas is shown all who have sacrificed and died for Rome.
The tone is a little mysterious as Aeneas and the Sibyl leave through the ivory gate which is not for true shades; it is for false dreams. This ending is a little ambiguous, but Aeneas does emerge as Father and Roman in a more solidified role for the rest of the poem. Aeneas journey to the underworld served to highlight three main points in the Aeneid. [THIS GIVES THE ESSAY A CLEAR ORGANIZATION AROUND IMPORTANT ISSUES, AND THE FIRST TWO OF THE AUTHORS POINTS WILL BE SUPPORTED WITH REFERENCES TO SPECIFIC EVENTS IN THE POEM] First, it was a historical reference to battles past and present, and a testament to the losses of life for Romes rise to power. As Aeneas walks through the underworld, we can see the continuation of his line and hear how Rome will conquer, but the boy who dies before his time is Virgil's way of reminding us that such victories have a price. This is the price that Aeneas helmsman paid when he lost his life for their safe passage. Secondly, Aeneas journey shows the human side of Aeneas with all of his vulnerabilities.
Aeneas needs the comforting of his father. He cries when he sees Dido and realizes that she killed herself. This trip also convinces Aeneas of his destiny. It has been pointed out that Aeneas needs a little more explanation than some. Lastly, the trip into the underworld can be seen as a literary tool to give the audience a quick synopsis of what has happened, bring them into the present, and give them a quick glimpse of Aeneas future. It is the perfect bridge between the wanderings of Aeneas and his acceptance of his fate.
Once his path is finally accepted, Aeneas battles for what he considers to be rightfully his and his heirs: Rome... When Aeneas descends into the Underworld, he is escorted by the Sibyl (lines 347 - 349). As Aeneas enters the Underworld, he sees numerous horrible sights: Grief, Disease, Old Age, Fear, Hunger, and several others. (Lines 356 - 379) These unsettling and dark words bring difficult images to the reader's mind. These lines foretell that there will be difficulties while Rome is in its infancy through phrases like "lonely night" and "phantom kingdom." Rome did indeed have difficulties in its infancy; in the 7 th and 6 th centuries BCE it was ruled by Etruscan kings and was only .".. a little hill town. " (Short Histories, p 20) Lines 390 through 549 in The Aeneid deal with the crossing of the River Styx.
This represents a great transition period in Rome. It symbolizes the founding of the Republic. The multitude of rushing and swarming people (Line 402) represents those that suffered the "internal turmoil" in the early stages of the Republic. (Short Histories, p 21) When Aeneas mentions, .".. and by what rule must some keep off the bank... " (Lines 419 - 421) he may symbolically be referring to the "Struggle of the Orders" that the early Republic experienced. (Short Histories, p 22) As Aeneas wanders through the Underworld, he notices Dido wandering about. (Lines 593 - 626) He tries to talk to her, but his words serve no purpose; she flees from him. He then sees the souls of those who died in battle. (Lines 628 - 650) These lines correspond to the Punic Wars that occurred from 264 to 146 BCE (Short Histories, pg. 24 - 26) because Aeneas offended, and arguably caused the death of, Dido when he left Carthage where he lived with Dido. (The Aeneid Book IV, line 300) In lines 738 - 832 Aeneas beholds the fortress Tartarus and its inhabitants who are being beaten and whipped.
This gruesome scene can be related to Julius Caesar's death. The tormented souls could represent the enemies of Caesar. "Caesar had spared the lives of many of his most famous enemies... " (Short Histories, p 33) These enemies rose up and slew him for his kindness. The "Tyrant - Slayers" (Short Histories, p 34) were soon embattled in war for their unpopular attack.
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