The Aeneid Virgils Heroic Underworld Essay - 3214 Words

It is clear when reading the Aeneid that Virgil was familiar with the earlier works of Homer, The Iliad and The Odyssey. Virgil, more than just being aware of these earlier works, uses themes and ideas from these poems in his own. Far more than just copying scenes and ideas, Virgil expands and alters these themes to better tell his story, unique from the Greek originals he is drawing from. Virgil reveals what qualities he regards as heroic through the juxtaposition of Aeneas’ character and the negative aspects of the underworld. By looking at which qualities are esteemed and derided respectively, we can identify the qualities that Virgil would like to emphasize positively to his readers. Also, we can argue that Virgil is indeed trying†¦show more content†¦Contrasting this to Achilles who allows his fellow Greeks to suffer repeated defeats at the hands of his enemies in order to regain his personal glory which he feels has been compromised due to an argument about the dissemination of war spoils. Odysseus also repeatedly seems far more interested in the gifts and spoils we receives than the well-being of the men who serve him. These comparisons however, could be simply the personal differences between Aeneas and these other heroes. In order to truly see that the qualities of Aeneas are indeed specific and an important part of Virgils message about morality we must look at Virgils underworld, and the people who inhabit it. During the events of book six in the Aeneid, Aeneas travels to the underworld to speak with his recently deceased father and learn what the future holds for him. This visit resembles a similar expedition that Odysseus makes during his journey home in The Odyssey during book 11. Both heroes are traveling by sea in search of home, or a home in the case of Aeneas, and must journey to the realm of the dead in order to learn what actions they should make next. In order to consult Tiresias, Odysseus must go to a certain loc ation and sacrifice a specific set of animals. After doing this several ghosts from the underworld come up seeking the sacrifice and he is able to speak with them. Odysseus meets many spirits in thisShow MoreRelatedExcellence and the Fulfillment of Ones Purpose is the Philosophy of Classical Greece1158 Words   |  5 Pagesspecifically to the culture of the period in which it originated meant â€Å"the notion of excellence and the fulfillment of one’s purpose and/or function: in other words, the act of living up to ones full potential†. 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