How Does Gossip In The Aeneid Essay

Everyone hears things about a person from one time to another. Gossip never hurts anyone, right? Well, wrong actually- gossip can destroy someone just from a simple rumor spread innocently about them. Throughout The Aeneid, gossip is a topic that is referenced by a character named Rumor. Furthermore, Rumor’s doings cause people to do irrational things, because of the things they hear. Virgil uses Rumor to show how damaging gossip can be.

Gossip spreads like wildfire, and not in a healthy way, in which Rumor is a great representation of this. Rumor constantly has something to say about everyone. The information isn’t always necessarily positive news either. “Now in no time at all through all the African cities Rumor goes- nimble as quicksilver

Rumor creates fake truths, and the people tend to believe the false truths she spread around. Lies can be manipulated to seem less harmful or more harmful. Moreover, Rumor always waited for the perfect moment to dig up some dirt on someone. “In those days Rumor took an evil hoy at filling countrysides with whispers, whispers, gossip of what was done, and never done: How Aeneas landed, Trojan born, How Dido in her beauty graced his company, Then how they reveled all the winter long unmindful of the realm, prisoners of lust.” (Virgil lines 246-252). The people of this time hear everything because of Rumor. Even so, she finds joy in this practice so it is done often. Since the people believe her, they become angry at some of the results she brings back to them. “These tales the scabrous goddess put about on men’s lips everywhere. Her twisting course took her to King Iarbas, whom she set ablaze with anger on top of anger.” (Virgil lines 253-256). The stories Rumor tells aren’t always the truth, yet the people believe them as facts, regardless if they are true or not. Additionally, Rumor takes every opportunity to spread a rumor, not even just in good time, but also during inconsiderate timing. “Now through the shocked city Rumor went rioting, as wails and sobs with women’s outcry echoed in the palace.” (Virgil lines 890-891). Furthermore, this shows that gossip will be spread no matter

Even today, gossip is a major problem. Not only that, gossip causes many issues with self esteem and self critiquing. In a recent article on the study of gossip, psychological studies proved that gossip is a critical thing. This article correlates with Virgil in a multitude of ways. First off, gossip is still major problem throughout today’s society. Society portrays gossip as a common everyday thing- that it does not stand as a problem. Not only is gossip is everywhere, but people also believe a good part of it- magazines, movies, paparazzi. Propaganda is everywhere. “Given the characteristically negative nature of gossip, it’s not surprising that it is most often told about someone who is not present.” (Psychology Today par.4). A majority of gossip today deals with the negative side of stories. We gossip to make each other feel superior about ourselves than the other person. The effects of gossip make it very difficult, not only to to openly trust a person, but also to respect