Aeneas
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STEPHANIE JOSHUA
ENGL 2030 – W3
October 8, 2006
Aeneas is the heroic main character in Virgils The Aeneid. The heroic character is often the son of a god or goddess and favored by the gods. Aeneas is the son of the Trojan mortal Anchises and Venus, the goddess of love. Aeneas is high in social status and share close contact with the gods. He is a man who is controlled by destiny. Aeneas is chosen to survive the siege of Troy to lead those left. He is also destined to lead the people of Troy on an extraordinary journey. His most challenging destiny is to establish the settlement of Rome. He is chosen for this destiny because of his family background.
Aeneas always fulfills his duty to his family, his fated city, and the Gods. This is what pushes him to continue the journey filled with many challenges. Aeneass family is of great importance to him. This can be seen in the scene when he guides his father and son out of Troy, supporting his elderly father on his back. He realizes that there is no reason to continue fighting. He makes the choice to find his family and flee Troy.
Aeneas love of his people is seen when he leaves the falling city of Troy. Aeneas does not let grief or anger take control of his emotions after the fall of Troy. He seeks to lift the spirit and bring up the morale of the people who survived. Aeneas is sympathetic of the suffering that others endure. This is seen in his recollection of the Trojan battles in which the passage ends “Here Aeneas halted, and tears came.” (Mack 642) He is sympathetic as they travel on their journey to Italy and speak to motivate them. Aeneas wanted to fulfill the prophecy of founding Rome because he knew it would make his Trojan followers happy.
Aeneas is devoted to duty. This is a sacred duty placed upon him by the Gods. All of his actions are in response to what he knows to be right and a step in the direction of his destiny. Aeneas has to make a decision on where his devotion lies, to himself or his destiny that he must fulfill. His devotion to duty causes him to look toward the future beyond personal indulgences. The fulfillment of duty is an act of heroism. Aeneas is seen as a hero because of what he believed and his sacrifice to that duty.
Aeneas has a strong belief in fate and destiny. Aeneas actions are lead by his belief in what he is destined to do. His actions throughout his life are guided by fate and the Gods. Aeneass duty and devotion to the Gods lead him to achieve what he is destined to. He values the Gods and seek to find out their wishes so that he may do his best to achieve them.
Aeneas had to find a place where the defeated Trojans could settle and found a new city. Once in the story, he had to