Fate in the Aeneid, as it is in the Odyssey and the Iliad, is a driving force. Without fate the story would be at a standstill. Throughout the story fate and destiny causes the main protagonist to continue on his journey to Italy. Aeneas goes to the son of Priam, Helenus, who has a gift for prophecy. Helenus, in his oracle to Aeneas, says, “The Lord God deals out destiny so and turns the wheel of change; so turns the world,” (Bk 3. 512-513). The indication of this quote seems to be that Aeneas’s and others paths have already been given to them. If this is the case, fate is the only thing that causes Aeneas’s journey. Aeneas gets waylaid in Carthage with Dido for a year and as it comes to a close the god Mercury comes down to him and sets him back to his fate. Mercury says, “From bright
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365-366). Zeus controls something as massive and great as the world it would seem logical that it follows that he also controls the actions of humans. Mercury at the very end of his message says, “Think of the expectations of your heir, Iulus, to whom the Italian realm, the land of Rome, are due,” (Bk 4. 374-375). The land of Rome has been destined for the descendants of Aeneas it seems. Mercury helps Aeneas recognize the fact he has a duty to fulfill the land his son has been fated to rule. Aeneas is again reminded of his duty when he tells Dido of his plans to leave Carthage. One of the most interesting things he says during his telling of his plans is, “If fate permitted me,” (Bk 4. 469). In this passage he is discussing what he would like to do. It seems that he cannot do the things that he would wish to do because he has been fated to go to the land of Italy. A few lines on from that Aeneas says that Apollo told that he had to sail to Italy (Bk 4. 476-477). Again, it does not appear as if Aeneas had any choice in his
365-366). Zeus controls something as massive and great as the world it would seem logical that it follows that he also controls the actions of humans. Mercury at the very end of his message says, “Think of the expectations of your heir, Iulus, to whom the Italian realm, the land of Rome, are due,” (Bk 4. 374-375). The land of Rome has been destined for the descendants of Aeneas it seems. Mercury helps Aeneas recognize the fact he has a duty to fulfill the land his son has been fated to rule. Aeneas is again reminded of his duty when he tells Dido of his plans to leave Carthage. One of the most interesting things he says during his telling of his plans is, “If fate permitted me,” (Bk 4. 469). In this passage he is discussing what he would like to do. It seems that he cannot do the things that he would wish to do because he has been fated to go to the land of Italy. A few lines on from that Aeneas says that Apollo told that he had to sail to Italy (Bk 4. 476-477). Again, it does not appear as if Aeneas had any choice in his