Destruction or Reconstruction
A flame that blossoms can either burst in full force and spread like wildfire or diminish as if one were to pinch the flame into nothing. In the heroic epic of The Aeneid, the author Virgil represents that flame as a catalyst for chaos but also intertwines it with another central theme- love. The Aeneid tells a story of Aeneas, the main Trojan hero who embarks on a long journey to Italy, a city where he is destined to findfound; however, various forces impede Aeneas from reaching his destination. Despite suffering from many losses, he ultimately reaches his destination in Italy.During his voyage to Italy, he suffers through many losses but ultimately, he reaches his destination. In the epic, Aeneas has to choose …show more content…
Jupiter, “the King of Gods”, unexpectedly reminds Aeneas through Mercury that he has a duty to fulfill (4.333). Virgil constantly implements the use of divine machinery such as Mercury and Jupiter to justify the actions and consequences of humans during the Roman times. Aeneas doesdid not just get a typical message from any god; he explicitly receives a warning from Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon, to get back on his destined track. Although Mercury only appears in this one minuscule scene, it is extremely crucial to the book. His message to Aeneas is the transitional shift from disorientation to determination. Mercury uses Ascanius, Aeneas’ son, as a way to convince Aeneas to abandon this infantile infatuation with Dido, and carry on with his fate because he cannot neglect his responsibilities; he must remember “Ascanius rising into his prime”, and think of his son’s future (4.341). His son, the only heir, must inherit all that Aeneas has, so in order for that to happen, Aeneas has to build the city of Italy for his son and govern his people as well. Even from the beginning of the book, Ascanius plays a major role in Aeneas’ journey to Italy. This little child gives Aeneas the purpose to continue after finally settling down in Carthage. He is the main component in pathos; the one who shifts Aeneas not only from existing as a typical duty bound, absolute, and disciplined hero, but also to one who takes in consideration of his loved ones and places their needs before his. Ascanius is a symbol of Aeneas’ future; he is the motivating push for Aeneas to finally set sail and prevent anything from derailing his course any longer. The Fates are not the only forces influencing Aeneas to pursue his destiny; this familial love for his son
A flame that blossoms can either burst in full force and spread like wildfire or diminish as if one were to pinch the flame into nothing. In the heroic epic of The Aeneid, the author Virgil represents that flame as a catalyst for chaos but also intertwines it with another central theme- love. The Aeneid tells a story of Aeneas, the main Trojan hero who embarks on a long journey to Italy, a city where he is destined to findfound; however, various forces impede Aeneas from reaching his destination. Despite suffering from many losses, he ultimately reaches his destination in Italy.During his voyage to Italy, he suffers through many losses but ultimately, he reaches his destination. In the epic, Aeneas has to choose …show more content…
Jupiter, “the King of Gods”, unexpectedly reminds Aeneas through Mercury that he has a duty to fulfill (4.333). Virgil constantly implements the use of divine machinery such as Mercury and Jupiter to justify the actions and consequences of humans during the Roman times. Aeneas doesdid not just get a typical message from any god; he explicitly receives a warning from Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon, to get back on his destined track. Although Mercury only appears in this one minuscule scene, it is extremely crucial to the book. His message to Aeneas is the transitional shift from disorientation to determination. Mercury uses Ascanius, Aeneas’ son, as a way to convince Aeneas to abandon this infantile infatuation with Dido, and carry on with his fate because he cannot neglect his responsibilities; he must remember “Ascanius rising into his prime”, and think of his son’s future (4.341). His son, the only heir, must inherit all that Aeneas has, so in order for that to happen, Aeneas has to build the city of Italy for his son and govern his people as well. Even from the beginning of the book, Ascanius plays a major role in Aeneas’ journey to Italy. This little child gives Aeneas the purpose to continue after finally settling down in Carthage. He is the main component in pathos; the one who shifts Aeneas not only from existing as a typical duty bound, absolute, and disciplined hero, but also to one who takes in consideration of his loved ones and places their needs before his. Ascanius is a symbol of Aeneas’ future; he is the motivating push for Aeneas to finally set sail and prevent anything from derailing his course any longer. The Fates are not the only forces influencing Aeneas to pursue his destiny; this familial love for his son