The Aeneid : Book VI

1. The Aeneid: Book VI By: Thomas Boyle, Sarah Bedford, and Rachael Hohol

2. Summary • This book begins where book five ended and Aeneas is mourning the loss of a crew mate. Then, Aeneas’ crew finally reaches the shores of Italy. The men split up and some went to gather supplies, and others went to the temple built by Daedalus in honor of Apollo. Here they talk to the Sybil, the priestess of Diana and Apollo. She refuses to tell them the prophecy because they have nothing to offer. When Aeneas promises that he will “build a temple of solid marble” to Apollo, Apollo intervenes, takes over her body, and presents them with the prophecy. • The first part of the prophecy tells the group that even though they have suffered many hardships, their troubles aren’t over yet, and another ‘Achilles’ will fight them in the future. Aeneas asks the Priestess how to enter the Underworld. She instructs him to find a golden tree in the forest, and if he can break off a branch, he may gain passage to the Underworld. The Priestess tells him to leave because the corpse of an unburied friend, Misenus, awaits. • Venus sends two doves to guide Aeneas to the tree, where he pulls the branch off with little difficulty. Then the Trojans honor Misenus with a proper funeral. • Next, Aeneas and the Sybil make a sacrifice to Hecate (“the mistress of Heaven and Hell”), the Furies, and Proserpine. They both jump into the cave and land at the gate of Hell.

3. Summary (cont.) • Entering Hell, they come across shadows, monsters, and souls waiting for passage, as they made their way to Charon. After showing Charon the golden branch, he allowed them passage across the River Styx. After throwing a piece of drugged food to Cerberus, Aeneas and the Sybil come across Dido. Aeneas tries to explain why he had to leave, but she just walks away. • While in the outskirts of Hell, Aeneas is approached by the dead soldiers. Then Sybil tells Aeneas of the methods of torture for punishment of bad deeds. In the depths of Tartarus, the Titans are contained. The Sybil tells Aeneas they must hurry along and reach the archway by the Cyclops’ furnace. • After placing the golden bough on the threshold and sprinkling himself with pure spring water, Aeneas and the Sybil reach the realms of Joy. Here, Aeneas meets many famous people, including the founder of Troy and strong warriors. Next, they begin to search for Aeneas’ father, Anchises. When they finally meet, they try to embrace, however they cannot. Anchises begins to tell Aeneas about his future. This included his death, the birth of his son, and the royal bloodlines of Italy. He also tells about the rulers of Rome and it’s newfound power. • Lastly, Anchises tells Aeneas about a young boy, who will be “the great grief” of his people. Then, he takes Aeneas to the Ivory Gate which takes him and the Sybil back to the world above.

4. Intervention • Apollo • Prophecy • Outcome: Aeneas was told of his future. • Venus • Doves • Outcome: Lead Aeneas to the Golden Bough.

5. Most Significant Event • This event occurs when Anchises tells Aeneas of the future of his city and family. • pg.171-177

6. Quotes Page 147 • “Apollo, always you pitied the plight of Troy, it was you who leveled Paris’ bow and drew his Trojan arrow straight to strike Achilles, it was you who led me over so many oceans that beat against great continents, and led me to probe the remote Massylians, and coasts enclosed by quicksands.” – Prince to priestess, Aeneas, and crew Page 175 • “Children, o children, never submit your minds to become inured to such appalling wars, now turn the sterling strength of your fatherland to stab its very vitals– you be the first in mercy, you who trace your line from Olympus and have my blood in your veins—cast down your weapons!” – Anchises to Aeneas

7. Characters • The Sybil • The priestess of Apollo and Diana • Charon • Ferryman of the Underworld • Hecate • Mistress of the Underworld • Tisiphone • Torturer in the Underworld • Cerberus • Three-headed dog that guards the Underworld • Misenus • Trojan warrior who died • Marcellus • Will one day restore order when Rome is rocked by rebellion

8. Character Analysis • Aeneas • Caring: tried to embrace father • Obedient: listens to his father • Dido • Has become silent and filled with grief • Anchises • Still the same loving father figure • Joyful at the realization of son’s future to establish Rome • Apollo • Stands by Aeneas in his hour of need and gives him a prophecy • Venus • Helps her son find the Gold Bough

9. Epic Conventions • Epic Digression • Flashbacks (page 145 and 165-167) • Settings are vast • Real world and Underworld • Epithets • Steadfast Achates- Achates • Raving Revolution- Medusa • Speeches • Entire epic • Pg.165-167 Priestess • Pg.171-172 Anchises • Cataloguing • Pg.162 “He grieved aloud…” • Pg.155 “There stood an elm…”

10. Foreshadowing • The prophecy foreshadows many events (p. 148): • “Another Achilles, and he, too, the son of a goddess breathes in Latium already!” • “Juno, your bane, will never be far away” • “And once again will a foreign bride be the cause of calamity of the Trojans – a bride, too, from the house of a host. ” • “And the first way to safety lies where you least expect it- from a Greek City.” • Anchises→Aeneas • “He is the son to be born after your death”

11. Symbolism • Venus’ Doves • Showed way to the Golden Bough • Golden Tree • Passageway to the Underworld • Boats • The journey itself

12. Figurative Language • “Slides round in a black running noose of waters” p.149 • “And the holm-oaks shuddered” p.151 • “So strong no mortal force nor the embattled Gods of heaven themselves could root them up” p.164 • “His own mighty mind” p. 145 • “There Sleep, own-brother of Death, and Joy-in-Guilt, and on the threshold of Death its herald War.” p.155

13. Class Discussion • How does the Romans’ views of the afterlife compare to other ancient cultures’ views? Then, compare the ancient beliefs to your own.