As per the Aeneid, the author does not present a developing character of Aeneas developing over the different sessions; rather, he is a full-grown adult. Besides, he is a leader carrying a lot of responsibilities, and coupled with his intuitive decision making; he presents himself as someone worth following and appreciating. However, this does not endorse the speculation that he alters his perception of what is right or wrong before finally accepting his fate. The acceptance comes after various missteps and failures that lead him to acknowledge and appreciate the essence of his future. As such, he transitions from a doubter to one aligned in promoting his fate’s outcome. The decision and change do not come as a surprise; rather, it should have been expected. However, one of the factors that led to him reforming and bowing down to his fate raises questions on the various lessons he learned.
What He Learns and Does Learn
From the excerpt “Do not trust the horse, Trojans. Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts.”, Aeneas comes out as someone who understands the workings of people’s minds. As such, he has learned to be wary of gifts, especially of Greeks. The idea presented in the lesson is the presence of different disguises brought forth by people, both known and unknown. As narrated concerning the Trojan horse, the story asserts that, while posing as a gift, the horse was let into the city of Troy, a factor that led to its downfall. 1 As such, in all his encounters, Aeneas was cautious about receiving gifts. In the end, the knowledge that few things are ever for free is a norm for different people in society. Failing to keep up with that norm often results in betrayal or blackmail, something Aeneas did not wish to have on himself.
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Details He Glosses Over
From the beginning, despite Aeneas being smart, competent and a strong leader, he glosses over his position. As such, like any other individual, he seeks freedom that is not confined by his fate. It is a reason for him to decide to marry Dido, a Phoenician prince. However, after some time and being reminded of his destiny, he sets out to achieve that which was fated upon him. Through the process, he faces bad weather while some of his companions give up on going with him. However, in the long run, he says, “A greater history opens before my eyes, A greater task awaits me.” 2 The declaration is a reconciliation he makes with himself and aligns his thoughts and strengths towards promoting and developing his destiny. Even going in the underworld is but a continuation of his resolve to become a part of his destiny as ordained by the gods. While the beginning of the poem shows an individual who is unsure on what they are fated to do, the poem ends with them fully grasping and aligning everything in their path to a decision made for him by the gods.
Extend He Performs Incomplete Reading or Misreading’s
A misreading is presented in the death of Lausus. In the search for Turnus, Aeneas encounters Mezentius who goads him into a fight. Aeneas, instead of speaking through words, stabs Mezentius through the groin, an act that is witnessed by Lausus. With the cover of others, Lausus charges at Aeneas, something that gets him rebuked by Aeneas. Only after killing Lausus and seeing the nobility in the boy’s action does he realize the error of his ways. The scene is well represented in his Latin words “‘Furor arma ministrat.’ “which means anger leads to actions. Mezentius deserved to die for picking a fight with Aeneas However, in his anger, he ended up killing another person that did not deserve.
What Is Eligible to Him and Why
The only thing eligible to him as the poem progresses is the achievement of his fate. Aeneas reaches a point where despite the difficulties laid before him, he would always be motivated to achieve his set goals. As such, although misfortunes come his way, he calls for those with him to keep advancing towards the achievement of the goal he set out for. 3 Besides, there is the question of whether the gods light up one’s heart or whether that passion lights the needed fire for one to progress in life. By reconciling to his fate and moving forward, Aeneas brings in the perspective of getting help from a god.
Conclusion
The poem as discussed above starts with an arrogant individual who is bent on achieving his goals and finding his path in life. However, as the poem progresses, lessons on the role played by society and the involvement of the gods become clear. The narrative is thus more of the development of an already mature individual and leading them towards paths specified or directed by the gods. Aeneas fate was starting a city and the sacrifices he had to do to make the dream a realization presents conflicts to moral ascriptions to the present society. For example, the death of Dido, the Phoenician prince, leaves questions on the responsibility of husbands to their wives. Like a child learning how to walk, Aeneas slowly ascribes to the role given to him by the gods which also results in him achieving the given target. To the modern individual, many lessons are present, and one could benefit by emulating them.
Bibliography
Virgil, Barry Moser, and Allen Mandelbaum. The Aeneid of Virgil: A Verse Translation . Berkeley: University of California Press, 2007.
1 Virgil, Barry Moser, and Allen Mandelbaum. The Aeneid of Virgil: A Verse Translation . Berkeley: University of California Press, 2007.
2 Virgil, Barry Moser, and Allen Mandelbaum. The Aeneid of Virgil: A Verse Translation .
3 Virgil, Barry Moser, and Allen Mandelbaum. The Aeneid of Virgil: A Verse Translation . Berkeley: University of California Press, 2007.
