The Aeneid : Book one

1. Mrs. Cave-Mattie The Aeneid: Book one

2. The book begins with a statement of theme – the struggles of a man, Aeneas – and speaks of his turmoil, being sure to highlight Juno’s role in all of it. Virgil asks the muses why Juno has such hatred for Aeneas and the Trojans, and many points are brought to light from the Judgment of Paris to her love for the Greeks. Juno watches as the Trojans set sail for Italy, and she demands that Aeolus, god of the winds, cause a great storm to swallow up the ships at sea. Aeolus agrees to do this, and Aeneas finds himself and his fleet in great disaster. He reflects back to the Trojan war and wishes, for a moment, that he had died an honorable death there, for that would be better than the death that seemingly awaits him at sea. • God of the sea, Neptune, is angered that Aeolus would step over his head. He calms the storm, and 7 of Aeneas’ ships are able to safely land upon the shore of Libya. But, safely is a delicate word. The readers of Virgil’s time would have recognized that this was enemy territory. They prepare a meal and attempt to get dry. Aeneas kills seven stags – one for each surviving ships – and makes every attempt to rally and encourage his men, despite the grave circumstances. • Venus goes and pleads with Jupiter….asking him why he has gone back on his promise to allow glory for Aeneas. Remember that Aeneas is her son. He reassures her that his plans are still going to come to fruition. He foreshadows many things, including the founding of Rome, rule of Aeneas, and an eventual age of peace. Summary of book one

3. Jupiter sends Mercury down to Carthage to make sure that everyone is ready to welcome the Trojans. After a night of sleep, Aeneas and Achates set out to explore the terrain, and they run into Venus, who is disguised as a Carthaginian huntress. She tells them about the place on which they have landed. She advises her son to go to the queen Dido’s palace. Aeneas eventually realizes that the disguised woman is his mother, Venus. • The two men observe the people of the town and eventually enter the palace of Juno. They notice scenes of the Trojan War all over the walls, and Aeneas is filled with sadness. Just as he sees himself in the mural, the queen comes into the room. Stillcovered in the mist, no one can see them. Just by looking at her, they can tell that Dido is a beautiful and powerful queen. Suddenly, Aeneas and Achates see their fellow men, who are about to plead their case to the queen. She is very nice to them, and suddenly the mist vanishes, and the Trojan companions are reunited. Aeneas speaks to Dido, and afterwards, a feast is held in Aeneas’ honor. • Aeneas sends Achates to get his son and bring gifts for Dido. Venus, worried that Juno will step in and cause trouble, sends Cupid in Ascanius’ place in disguise. She wants Cupid to make Dido fall in love with Aeneas so that he is sure to be safe. Cupid is successful that very evening when Dido embraces him. She is overcome with emotion for Aeneas as she asks him to retell his misfortunes to everyone in attendance. Summary of book one

4. Intervention: • Hera asks Aeolus to cause the storm • Outcome: • Aeneas and his men find their courage challenged, but they rally around one another and do their best to survive. Seven ships make it safely to shore. • The leadership skills demonstrated by Aeneas prove he is a worthy leader for his crew. • Quarrel: • Neptune scolds Aeolus for going over his head and causing the storm at sea • Outcome: • Neptune calms the storm and allows for Aeneas and seven of his ships to reach land. Interventions/quarrels of the deities Aeneas is fated to succeed, and the gods cannot supersede fate, according to the Romans. But, the gods can interfere and make it more difficult or easy for him along the way.

5. Intervention: • Venus pleads with Jupiter. She questions what the Trojans have done to deserve such poor treatment, obviously worried about her son. • Outcome: • Jupiter reassures her that her Trojans will be safe. • Intervention: • Venus greets her son, disguised as a woman, and advises Aeneas to go to Dido’s palace. She covers Aeneas and Achates in a mist so that no one can see them. • Outcome: • Aeneas and Achates make it safely to Dido’s palace, observing others unnoticed on the way. They are able to spot their companions, who have also ventured to the palace of the queen. Interventions/quarrels of the deities

6. Intervention: • Venus sends her son, Cupid, in place of Aeneas’ son, Ascanius, to the palace with gifts for Dido. • Outcome: • Cupid successfully tricks Dido into falling in love with Aeneas, thus ensuring his safety. Interventions/quarrels of the deities

7. Aeneas and Achates visit the palace of Dido, and upon entering, they view paintings of the Trojan War decorating the walls. Most significant event Page 17-18 of epic

8. Page 4 • “Oh, three- and four-times lucky, my friends, who died in their fathers’ sight under Troy wall! … Why could not I have died by your strong hand [Diomedes] there on the plain…” ~Aeneas • Page 10 • “’Have no fear, the destiny of your people remains unaltered’ … such was his prophecy.” ~Jupiter • Page 17 • “Is there a place left in the world not full of our miseries? Look, there is Priam! Even here there is recognition of a man’s worth, even here there is compassion for human fortunes, they are touched by the common lot of mortal men. We must put off all fear. Our very fame will bring us means of safety.” ~Aeneas Important quotations explained

9. Aeneas • Protagonist, embodiment of the virtues that were prized most in a warrior. • Jove/Jupiter • King of the gods, favors the Trojans • Juno (Hera) • Queen of the gods, antagonist to the Trojans at this point • Aeolus • God of the winds • Neptune • God of the sea • Achates • Devoted friend to Aeneas • Venus • Mother of Aeneas; goddess of love and beauty • Mercury • Messenger of the gods • Dido • Queen of Carthage • Ascanius • Son of Aeneas Characters we meet

10. Aeneas • Protected by the gods…..Venus is his mother • Landing on enemy territory takes bravery and strong will • Needs to put his own fears aside for sake of others • Never loses sight of his goal; “steadfast Aeneas” • Roles he plays: • Provider: slays the stags • Comforter/Motivator: there for his men • Father: he is described as a “fond father, always thoughtful of his son” • Servant to the gods: he does not challenge them as we saw many characters do in The Iliad. • He displays true emotions – relatable • Seeing pictures of Trojan War • Worried about his supposed fallen comrades • Dido • Positive first impression • Seems caring, compassionate • Strong woman….unlike many of the women we have met thus far in our epics • Compared to goddess Diana (goddess of the hunt) • Dido vs. Aeneas • Both fled from their homeland • Both determined • Both suffered • Both appear, so far, to be good leaders • Achates • Loyal friend and companion to Aeneas • Similar to Patroclus in The Iliad Character analysis ~ Mortals

11. Jupiter • Still the father figure • Reassuring to Venus, favoring the Trojans • Yet to see interaction between Jupiter and Juno….will it liken the interaction from The Iliad? • Juno • She is heard from first • Strong antagonist to Aeneas’ efforts • Still upset over Judgment of Paris and Apple of Discord • Venus • Opposing force to Juno • Protective mother • It is foreshadowed that her side will prevail • Venus vs. Juno • Venus does not harm her enemies or those she fears will get in the way (ex. Dido) • Juno willing to do whatever it takes to get her way • Neptune, Juno, Aeolus • Bickering back and forth • Similar to children who want to get their way Character analysis ~ Deities

12. In Medias Res • Story begins in the middle of things • Flashbacks to the Trojan War • Summary of the interventions of the gods • What has brought them to this point • Epithets • Jove the King = Jupiter • Father of the Seas = Neptune • Aeneas the Steadfast = Aeneas • Begins with statement of theme • The journey and challenges of Aeneas and how he will struggle to survive and make his people safe. • Once again dealing with the struggles of man vs. man, man vs. himself, man vs. supernatural, man vs. nature • “Begins” with an invocation • Not in the first lines, but eventually appears • Calls to the Muses for their explanation and guidance Epic conventions

13. Jupiter  Venus • Venus questions why Jupiter is going back on his word • “And yet you promised in the full course of time the rule of the world to the Romans, a people sprung from Trojan blood.” • Jupiter’s response foreshadows many things (p.10-11) • “Have no fear, Cytherean; the destiny of your people remains unaltered, you shall see your city, and see Lavinia’s walls as I have promised. You shall bear great-heart Aeneas to the height of heaven’s stars.” • “He shall conduct a great campaign for you and conquer all Italy and its haughty peoples….impose laws….build walled cities….” • “Romulus creating Rome”…..Roman legend about how Rome was founded. • Rome will conquer the world, including Greece. • Juno will come to love the Romans…. • An age of peace is forthcoming… foreshadowing

14. Wall paintings of Trojan War in Dido’s palace • Symbolic of both past and future: • Flashbacks to the past bring sadness • Surviving and remaining determined brings hope for the future • Birds seen on the journey • Symbolic of good or bad omens, like in The Iliad • Weather • Symbolic of the mood of the gods, ways for them to carry out their will • Aeneas • Symbolic of what the Trojans (future Romans) believed a good warrior to be • Qualities possessed: courage, determination, patience, respect for family and heritage, respect for will of the gods, and many more to be displayed • Land and Sea • Land = order • Sea = disorder • Aeneas feels safer on land, even though he has landed in enemy territory symbolism

15. Can you identify the type? • “flotsam of fate” • “the whirlpool gulped her down its greedy throat” • “his face was a mask of hope” • “it was like watching bees in summer tireless in the flowering fields under the high sun” • “the sky feeds the stars” • “shining on head and shoulder like a god” Figurative language

16. Out of all the qualities displayed in Aeneas thus far in the reading, which quality do you feel is most admirable? Why? How does he demonstrate this quality? Class discussion