the Aeneid Flashcards
1
Q
What is the Symbolism? 2
A
- The 1st half of the poem is symbolic of the Italo-Roman struggle
- 2nd - Civil war
2
Q
What are the 2 human emotions the Virgil presents? 2
A
- Pietas duty to the gods, country and family
- Impious fury: the fury and passion which consumes
3
Q
Virgil and Homer Symbolism 3
A
- Virgil far more consciously symbolic than Homer
- Symbolism and transparency are characteristics of mature artistry, or a late a stage in the development of art
- Reveal the awareness of form as an expression that we identify with the classical
4
Q
Homer in Virgil 6
A
- 1st book mimics the Odyssey
- storm sequence
- Odysseus like wondering of Aeneas book 3
- Hostile divinity plans
- Athena and Ody = Venus and Aeneas
- Turnus compared to Achilles and Hector
5
Q
The use of Allecto 3
A
- Virgil has become independent of Homer with the embodiment of evil
- The object was to symbolize unleashed passion as well as the insanity of civil war
- Civil war: Italians and Trojans destined to be together and peace through assimilation
6
Q
Gods 7
A
- The passion consumed goddess is confronted by Virgils sublime Jupiter - enthroned above passion and suffering
- Zeus is stronger than the rest, while Jupiter is more sublime
- We dont’ see Jupiter shaking the universe with his scowl as Zeus but he imposes reverence on it
- Virgils jupiter is the symbol of Rome as an idea embodied
- Juno is the divine symbole of demonic forces of violence and destruction. Which Jupiter is the organising power that restrains these forces
- The contrast between the 2 highest divinities is symbolic of the ambivalence in history and human nature
- Dido vs Aeneas, Turnus Vs Aeneas, Light Vs Dark, Mind Vs Emotions, Order vs Chaos
7
Q
Aeneas and Homeric 4
A
- Aeneas simultaneously comprises the past, present and future unlike homer’s heroes
- Homer’s heroes do feel sorrow as keenly as Aeneas but they forget faster (Ody and Circe)
- Aeneas’ attitude testifies to the Roman sense of duty which is contrasted to the Greek sense of existence: Greek: fulfillment of nature over duty, Roman: duty over nature
- Homer’s heroes suffer over love of themselves (in the high Aristotlean sense), Aeneas’ sorrow is for the suffering of others due to the destiny of his leadership
8
Q
Aeneas 4 stoic
A
- Aeneas never belongs in the moment (Dido)
- Aeneas infused with deep humanity this brings him closer to christian solidarity and charity: it is this line of thought that stoic impression of Aeneas
- Aeneas attitude to pain is not stoic, but his perception of destiny as a school of suffering can be interpreted as so
- Aeneas is determined by an amalgamation of several traits, Homeric heroiesm, early roman stoic: magnitude animi, and Vergilio-Augstan unanitas combined into one
9
Q
Dido 4
A
- Happy 1st scene of Dido is contrasted to her ending, this adds to the emphasis on the tragic aspect of the poem according to classical composition
- 1st appearance in the temple: show her and her actions are worthy of fame, links her to Juno
- Dido is happy and plans for the future - reversed with Aeneas
- not the monstrous or bloodthirst Euripdes’ Medea or the maiden of Apollonius: mix of both. the sublime passion of Euripdes but gentleness of Apollonius
10
Q
Dido’s love for Aeneas 5 short
A
- is closely interwoven with the great and noble characteristics of her nature (makes it more tragic)
- EXAMPLE: talent for great love (sychaeus)
- Compassion for Trojans
- Feminine nature
- longing for children (Ascanius)
11
Q
dido’s death 5. with options
A
- Death necessary
- 1) approach former suitors, 2)follow ship, 3) Tyrains persue
- Death is the only answer to save ego, self-respect and glory
- Passion obscured her true-self, death confirms and maintains it on a higher plain - very roman
- The curse is not only an expression of love to hate but also of restoration of the lost dignity, ancient man- revenge meant restoration of spiritual existence
12
Q
Turnus 7
A
- 1st appearance at midnight - reflects his destiny belonging to the darkness
- Original resistance to the fury demonstrates the inner fall of Turnus and the innocence of his guilt
- Possesses the best qualities of Homeric heroes: beauty, youth, nobility and courage
- becomes the incarnation of frenzied war - his battle is ungodly and sinful - civil war
- fighting style barbaric: Aeneas’ is roman
- Closer to the end the more growth in inner stature: knows the gods aren’t supporting him but resolution to uphold glory
- all that is significant comes from Achilles. Hector comes only delusion and the exterior points of his career sich as the break through the walls, burning the ship and single combat
13
Q
Argument of Turnus 3
A
- that he is the embodiement of the enemy of the state - Friedich 1940’s
- Counter: similar to Dido his path to destruction states with religious rites and prayer
- Embodiment of the furior impious
14
Q
Dido and Turnus 3
A
- boths passion enhance Aeneas’ controlled poise and strength of mind
- Dido: changes from love to irreconcilable hostility, Turnus: changes from irreconcilable hostility to humble submission
- Turnus too possessed by fury to have the same compassion as Dido
15
Q
what is stoicism? 4
A
- world controlled and animated by gods/ rationality (Logos)
- the power of logos is irresistible, sometimes described as fate
- some completely deny free choice, others deny to an extent
- can’t resist fate but can have different attitudes to it
