Virgil's Aeneid: A Conflict of Love and Duty
The Aeneid, composed by the Latin poet, Virgil, relates the aftermath
of the Trojan War from the perspective of the defeated Trojans. Aeneas,
a member of the royal household of Priam, is the protagonist who must
lead a fleet of Trojans to set up a new
kingdom.
The Aeneid opens with a storm that has been brought about by the
goddess, Juno, who is the wife/sister of Jupiter. Juno hates the
Trojans because she was not selected by Paris (a Trojan shepherd) as
the most beautiful of the gods. Therefore, Aeneas and his fleet are
receiving the recompense prompted by the judgment of Paris.
Juno has another reason for hindering the Trojans in their quest to set
up a new kingdom. Her preferred
city is Carthage, the city of Queen
Dido. Dido came to Carthage from Phoenecia, a few years before, when
her husband was murdered by her brother, Pygmalion. Dido has erected a
temple to Juno who protects the city as patron goddess. Juno knows that
the kingdom Aeneas will build will become the Roman Empire, which will,
as time progresses, destroy Carthage. Therefore, she will do everything
in her power to keep Aeneas from reaching Hesperia (Italy).
Aeneas lands at Carthage and soon meets Queen Dido. With some
assistance from Aeneas' mother, Venus, the queen falls in love with
Aeneas. The relationship presents a critical dilemma for Aeneas: Should
he remain in Carthage and share the love of Dido? Or, must he be
obedient to the call of Jupiter who has commanded him to build a new
kingdom? Ultimately, Aeneas decides that "pietas" -- duty to the god --
must prevail over human passion. As he sets sail for Italy, Dido
commits suicide.
After stopping on Sicily to memorialize the anniversary of his father's
death, Aeneas sets sail again for Italy. When he arrives, king Latinus
welcomes him and wishes for his daughter, Lavinia, to marry Aeneas.
However, Turnus, king of the Rutulians, has his own conjugal plans for
Lavinia, and war ensues.
Ultimately, Aeneas, with the assistance of some allies on the
peninsula, subjugates Italy and lays the foundation for the Roman
Empire by building the city of Lavinia. His son, Ascanius, will later
construct Alba Longa, on which Romulus will found the city of Rome.
The Aeneid ends rather abruptly because of the death of Virgil in 19
BCE. The author had intended to spend three years editing the epic
before releasing it for publication. However, on an extended trip
throughout the Roman Empire with Caesar Augustus, Virgil contracted
malaria and died before accomplishing his intended edit.
More reviews about the The Aeneid