The foundations of the The Aeneid and the Gospel of Mark are men. In the context of the two literary texts, it is worthwhile to examine the women and their deployment in the Aeneid and the Gospel of Mark, for they figure importantly in the respective missions of Aeneas and Jesus. The women are in the lives of Aeneas pose obstacles, whereas the women in Mark supplement to the spreading of Jesus’s word. Vergil’s representation of women in The Aeneid as opposing figures against Aeneas, discredited by their own failure. Though the epic poem is centered around the aspirations and relationships among men, the divine figures of Juno and Dido elicit problematic issues for Aeneas. On the other hand, Mark’s portrayal of the women is universally positive.
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Juno is the root of all of Aeneas’s problems. The driving force of her constant meddling in Aeneas’s respective mission is vanity and spite. She despises the Trojans because Paris did not choose her as the fairest goddess. The fact that fate prophesizes that the city of Rome will surpass dominance over her favorite city, Carthage. Although her wrath causes Aeneas difficulty in his journey, she ultimately is unable to alter his fate. Vergil utilizes Juno as an example of how women can make life more difficult then necessary. Juno’s intrusion in the affairs of the Trojans and Aeneas derives from her selfish desires. There is a lack in balance of Juno’s actions; she does not have a concrete basis for her wrath. She states, “It will not be permitted—so be it—To keep the man from rule in Italy […] And yet to drag it out, to pile delay/ Upon delay in these great matter—that I can do: to destroy both countries’ people, That I can do.” (Book 7. 427-432) Though she realizes that her strikes to prolong Aeneas’s destiny will not be successful, she will do anything to delay the Trojan’s destiny. Juno’s role in the Aeneid is to serve as the main antagonist. Her vendetta against the Trojans and Aeneas serves as a catalyst for the epic. It appears that Juno is immune to human suffering, as she demonstrates her casual manipulation of Dido’s and Aeneas’s …show more content…
Mark illustrates the poor widow as a tool to reinforce the mission of Jesus. Mark argues that the widow has given more be compared to the rich, because they donate from their surplus, thus have not sacrificed anything to God. Whereas, Jesus states that the, “poor widow has put in more than those who are contributing to the treasury,” (Mark 12:43) she gave all she owned. Rather, it is out of her will to be a devoted servant in God. She understands that God will provide for her, no matter how much she has to her name. She displays her humbleness as she gives out of her faith. Her role in Mark is to exhibit a model of service. Mark praises to those who contribute no matter the sum an in return they will receive a fulfilled life. Compared, to the Aeneid’s Juno, acts on the basis of fulfilling her selfish desires on hatred. Juno is stubborn as she continues to attempt to cease the destiny of Aeneas. Whereas, the poor widow does not act on the basis on receiving nothing in return or praise. The poor widow is
Juno is the root of all of Aeneas’s problems. The driving force of her constant meddling in Aeneas’s respective mission is vanity and spite. She despises the Trojans because Paris did not choose her as the fairest goddess. The fact that fate prophesizes that the city of Rome will surpass dominance over her favorite city, Carthage. Although her wrath causes Aeneas difficulty in his journey, she ultimately is unable to alter his fate. Vergil utilizes Juno as an example of how women can make life more difficult then necessary. Juno’s intrusion in the affairs of the Trojans and Aeneas derives from her selfish desires. There is a lack in balance of Juno’s actions; she does not have a concrete basis for her wrath. She states, “It will not be permitted—so be it—To keep the man from rule in Italy […] And yet to drag it out, to pile delay/ Upon delay in these great matter—that I can do: to destroy both countries’ people, That I can do.” (Book 7. 427-432) Though she realizes that her strikes to prolong Aeneas’s destiny will not be successful, she will do anything to delay the Trojan’s destiny. Juno’s role in the Aeneid is to serve as the main antagonist. Her vendetta against the Trojans and Aeneas serves as a catalyst for the epic. It appears that Juno is immune to human suffering, as she demonstrates her casual manipulation of Dido’s and Aeneas’s …show more content…
Mark illustrates the poor widow as a tool to reinforce the mission of Jesus. Mark argues that the widow has given more be compared to the rich, because they donate from their surplus, thus have not sacrificed anything to God. Whereas, Jesus states that the, “poor widow has put in more than those who are contributing to the treasury,” (Mark 12:43) she gave all she owned. Rather, it is out of her will to be a devoted servant in God. She understands that God will provide for her, no matter how much she has to her name. She displays her humbleness as she gives out of her faith. Her role in Mark is to exhibit a model of service. Mark praises to those who contribute no matter the sum an in return they will receive a fulfilled life. Compared, to the Aeneid’s Juno, acts on the basis of fulfilling her selfish desires on hatred. Juno is stubborn as she continues to attempt to cease the destiny of Aeneas. Whereas, the poor widow does not act on the basis on receiving nothing in return or praise. The poor widow is