Aeneid And Non Roman Heroes

Roman heroes must cope with obstacles that are set before him by opposing forces, whether they be man or god. He is also aided in his journey by his patron god or goddess and his deceased relatives. The Virgilian hero, according to Rosenberg, represents the forces of order, self-discipline, rational thinking, and constructive behavior. On the other hand, the non-Virgilian hero acts as a deterrent using the forces of disorder, passion, irrational thinking, and violence (p. 259). He is hindered along the way by Juno, the sea, a passionate woman, another storm, and Juno again by influencing the people of Latium. He is helped along the way by his mother the goddess Venus, Neptune-by calming the sea and later filling their sails with the winds (p. 282), Apollo-by telling Ascanius to refrain from further fighting, Jupiter-by sending

He follows the will of the gods through suffering, sacrifice, and labor. Roman ideals of pietas, dignitas, virtus, and gravitas are all portrayed by our hero while on his journey. Aeneas’ pietus showed in his devotion to his family, country, and to his religion. He carried his father while his father carried their sacred objects and the household gods. Aeneas’ gravitas, deep-rooted seriousness, is shown when he explains without emotion to Dido that his duty is to get his people to Hesperia or when he hides his feelings of despair in Chapter 1, and instead tries to encourage them. Aeneas’ virtus which is his manliness, courage, character, and valor are perceived masculine strengths. He exhibits virtus in Chapter 1, when he carries his father on his back, holds his son’s hand, and instructs his wife to stay close. Lastly, his dignitas-personal reputation, moral standing and ethical worth, along with his entitlement to respect and proper treatment-was shown when on page 263 he states, “I am Aeneas the Good, and my fame is known on Mount