The Aeneid, Julius Caesar, and Fate
The concept of “fate” is an important aspect in The Aeneid as well as a strong theme throughout Virgil’s work – Aeneas is fated to found Rome, and he is not permitted to rest until he fulfils his fate. Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar leans far less on the idea of fate, and often examines it where The Aeneid does not.
The Aeneid takes the idea of fate wholeheartedly and it is a guiding factor of the epic. Our introduction to the hero Aeneas comes largely from a discussion of him between Jupiter and Venus (the mother of Aeneas). Venus visits Jupiter, worried as it seems like Aeneas will die at sea despite his destined founding of Rome. Jupiter calms Venus, saying “…I shall tell you more, unrolling for you the secrets… of the Fates. He will…” (1.262 -263) – here Jupiter lists the future accomplishments of Aeneas, as well as his descendants. Fate is a solid entity in The Aeneid, and Venus becomes less worried after hearing Jupiter’s proclamations.
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This is how your fortune rolls…” (3.375-376). Fate comes from the Gods, and nothing can change it. The only time in The Aeneid in which someone manages to avoid their fate is Dido, who does so by dying “…not by the decree o Fate… and before her time” (4.697-698). This signifies a great disturbance within the structure of fate – Dido’s death was so unnatural and unexpected, that it defied and refused Fate, even if The Aeneid claims “the Fates will find a way.”
It also explains as to why some of the things—like having Carthage as the enemy—happened. Vergil gives the Romans a past that includes the characterizations that they hold dear, as well as a historical past that explains the present, including why Carthage and Rome are enemies . Further, the Aeneid including the importance of Roman standards throughout the epic poem establishes the continuity of what he has said is important to the Romans. From this point on, Aeneas’s piety and heroism is continually mentioned and is brought to light as exceptional parts of ‘good’ Aeneas’s character. Aeneas has become both the cause of Rome’s creation through his following of his fate as well as the symbol of the perfect Roman and what Romans should be like or what type of person they came from, the good and pious
As one of the most well known authors of the Elizabethan Era, Shakespeare had written numerous sonnets and plays reflecting the values of people of the time period. Shakespeare often display themes of love and death, fate and free will, and power and weaknesses throughout his works of literature. The play "The Tragedy of Julius” truly highlight the impact of fate and free will in the development of the plot, of the assassination of Caesar’s death. Some may argue that fate is actually the one responsible for the act, but they fail to recognize that it is the acts of men leading to the death. It is the free will at fault for this occurrence, that the Roman senators consciously killed Caesar and Caesar himself facing his mortality.
The idea that one’s destiny is already determined is both comforting yet brings dismay because it leaves a feeling of powerlessness which is fine for the lazy but painful for the proactive. This idea is surely a failure among principles but even so the role of fate is not completely limited to these terms and ideas. Fate in the book was seen more as a mission that Aeneas had in life, and it would only happen on his obedience to his tasks. This type of belief that “actions determine fate” is actually quite healthy for a society to follow. During Aeneas’ journey there were several times that he faced difficult temptations that tested his obedience
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 to convey a particular set or morals to those readers. Beyond the underworld, it is possible to clearly identify these traits in the other sections of the poem where Virgil is borrowing and making his own alterations. Using these distinctions we can very clearly derive Virgil's morality from the poem, and see where Virgil's ideal characters veer away from the Greek ideal that came before.
The roles of Aneas and Turnus are reversed as the Aeneid progresses. The erasure of Aneas' free will accounts for his triumph and success. Time and time again, Aneas' courage, loyalty, and will are tested in the Aeneid. Through seemingly endless journeys by sea, through love left to wither, and through war and death, Aneas exhibits his anchored principals and his unwavering character. "Of arms I sing and the hero, destiny's exile... Who in the grip of immortal powers was pounded By land and sea to sate the implacable hatred of Juno; who suffered bitterly in his battles As he strove for the site of his city, and safe harboring For his Gods in Latium" (Virgil 7).
Throughout the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare both fate and free will is demonstrated. Cassius argued that everyone has the power to change their future in what they do when Casca came to him frightened by omens. Though, omens have seemed to prove correct throughout the play, therefore it dominates the argument of Fate versus Free Will.
The Odyssey portrays the victor, the mighty Odysseus. His story is about a man who has everything, a loving and loyal wife, an ambitious son, a devoted kingdom, and most of all a victory. By the end of Odysseus’ story he has an ideal life. On the other hand, The Aeneid is told through the eyes of a defeated soldier. Early on in the epic Aeneas has a comfortable life. It seems as though he is happy and complancent with his life in Carthage with Dido. Aeneas chooses to leave this life behind in order to fulfill his destiny. The Trojans were defeated in the war, however, Aeneas perceivers and fights for the future of his people. Through Aeneas’ story, Virgil demonstrates the resilience of the Roman culture; he shows just how much they value a sense of
For a year, Aeneas delayed his destiny and departure to Italy by settling down with queen Dido in Carthage. The gods deliver a message to Aeneas and to his dismay he must leave “the land of his love” and resume his destiny (Aen. 4.). Though his parting from Dido is emotional, and he leaves her broken and suicidal, Aeneas remains level-headed and strong-willed, a noble quality known as gravitas to the Romans. By Aeneas having to leave Dido, he is overcoming a very emotional obstacle; he is leaving despite a chance of stability and love, the first since the death of his wife.
The Aeneid In the Aeneid, the author Virgil outlines the significance of authority by reiterating the need for Aeneas to fulfill his destiny in relation to pietas, devotion to family and country, as the central Roman virtue in the underworld. Virgil successfully uses the underworld to capture and dramatize the importance of authority by allowing Aeneas to see the future Rome due to his leadership through many forms and histories of Roman authority. Once the Trojans were on the shores of Italy, Aeneas had yet another duty to fulfill: a visit to the underground, where he met Sibyl, the "holy prophetess (pg. 149)." After the God Delian (pg.149) breathed "visionary might" into Sibyl, she and Aeneas were able to visit the Earth's hidden world. In this world, he learned what happens to the souls of the dead. Most likely, it served as a future lesson for Aeneas (especially after being guilty of neglecting his duty for his true love of Italy while indulging with Dido) which is still believed and practiced today: the kind of life that we lead; the way we die, self - inflicted or not; and how we are buried after death are all of great significance - that all good deeds in life deserve the goodness of heaven, and all bad deeds deserve the pain and the punishment of hell. "Philgyas in extreme of misery cries loud through the gloom appeals warning to all mankind: Be warned, learn righteousness; and learn to scorn no god (pg.
Only the timely intervention of Neptune saves Aeneas, and he and his men land in Carthage. Juno’s next plan involves taking advantage of Cupid’s love spell on Dido; she tries to get Venus to agree to a marriage between the two, hoping to take advantage of Dido’s affection and keep Aeneas in Carthage. “Where will you stop, how far will you go in your wild competition? Why not, instead, work together, for endless peace and a marriage / Sealing it?” (4.98-99) Ultimately, after Jupiter forbids her and Venus from interfering in mortal affairs any longer, Juno entreats Juturna, the sister of Aeneas’s enemy Turnus, to act on Juno’s behalf and save her brother. “You, if you’re daring enough to bring critical help to your brother, / Go on. You should. Something better, perhaps, will ensue from your anguish.” (12.152-153) This attempt fails as well, and Juno is only placated when Jupiter promises that the Latins will subsume the Trojans in the
... prominent source of his weighty troubles. They are helpless to withstand the gods, restrain Aeneas from advancing towards Italy, and burn at women’s torches. Yet, his ships are invaluable to the overall success of his journey and the expression of his character. Aeneas is a ship, chugging toward western shores and providing refuge for his people. However, this extended analogy has greater importance to Virgil and the rest of human society. After the destruction of Troy, Aeneas has no country to protect or call his home. The cargo and soldiers aboard his ships are the remnants of his past civilization, but they are also the seeds for a new empire. Aeneas, just as his ships, is the invaluable carrier and protector of one of the greatest empires in all of human history – Rome.
In today's society we let our lives be led by a certain force that we believe in very strongly. Yet, a common debate that still rages today is whether we, as a species, have free will or if some divine source, some call it fate, controls our destiny. In the play, Oedipus the King, that special force is also used and is known and defined as fate. This played an important role in the lives of the characters just as it plays one in our daily lives.
... attempts they do just the opposite. With Venus’ many interventions, Aeneas is prevented from making mistakes and is guided to his fate, from not killing Helen [book 2] to leaving behind the old and the weak for Italy [book 4] . He is shown enough times to be the puppet of their play: from obeying the will of the gods while enduring the wrath of other gods, all this in order to set the wheels in motion for the far off future Roman race. However, there are also times when he is also shown to be exerting his won free will. For example, in book 12, killing Turnus when he is begging for mercy, something not heroic and which Susanna Braund debates the positive and negative aspect of in her essay on Virgil and the Meaning of the Aeneid [1.17-18]. nonetheless, this act demonstrates that even the gods and the fates require his cooperation to fulfil his destiny.
The idea of fate has existed for a long time and exists even today. Fate revolves around the idea that people's lives are predetermined and that no matter what is done it cannot be changed. With the gods it was used to explain events that seemed strange. Sophocles expands on this idea by introducing Oedipus' fate. The thought of fate is strong considering no matter how hard he struggles he still receives what was predetermined. As a baby he survived the elements on Mount Cithaeron. As Oedipus was destined to live, it shows the dominance of fate. Having fate play such a large part of the play is certainly an insight into the Greek's idea that fate controls us no matter how hard we struggle against it.
When discussing the fate of Aeneas, a thought provoking question is posed that is commonly debated. If Aeneas is commanded by fate, does he have free will? It is important to approach this question with a solid understand of fate. There are two common sides to the debate of whether Aeneas had free will or not. One view believes Aeneas had no choice but to follow his destiny because he was commanded by fate, and prophesied to found the race that will one day build Rome. The other side states Aeneas did indeed have free will, and even though his fate was set, room is available within his fate for events to change. One can argue Aeneas makes some of his own choices, but no particular detail of his life is untouched. Destiny determines that the Trojans will found a city in Italy, but it does not stipulate how that will happen. This is where room is left for free will. After much research and considering the views of many commentators and the proof they showed, the answer can simply be found by going back to the text of The Aeneid.