Term Paper on "Aeneid Aeneas Is a Complex, Multi-Dimensional Character"

Term Paper 3 pages (1058 words) Sources: 0

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Aeneid

Aeneas is a complex, multi-dimensional character. Much of Virgil's Aeneid details his conduct in a romantic affair, which allows depth of expression for Aeneas's personality. Were he only depicted as a warrior, the reader might not understand the full extent of Aeneas's weaknesses. Aeneas's most obvious character traits include his pride in being a leader, and his keen ability to lead an army. He accepts his destiny, and does not demonstrate the kind of hubris that other heroes might. However, a closer examination reveals that Aeneas is not nearly as courageous as he appears. Although he is a brash warrior who can handle physical discomfort, he lacks emotional courage and struggles with moral integrity. He fails to respect Dido -- and perhaps all mortal females. The final scene of the Aeneid shows that Aeneas also lacks mercy, signaling the type of political ruler he might be if he were to guide the Trojans. The primary traits that distinguish Aeneas include temperamental passion, blind acceptance of fate, and lack of emotional courage. Those traits do not actually change much throughout the epic. However, Aeneas starts out in defeat and becomes a victor; he shifts his identity from being a Trojan to being the founder of a new Latin nation; he becomes more emotionally hardened; and more in charge of his destiny as a political leader.

At the onset of the Aeneid, Aeneas plays the role of a noble yet defeated warrior and at the poem's conclusion he plays the victor. The nature of Aeneas's heroism changes qualitatively. At the beginning of the Aenead, the title character is depicted as "anxious life in endless cares, / Expos'd to wants, and hurried into wars!" (Book 1). Al
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though he seems no less anxious by Book 12, Aeneas may no longer have such "endless cares" and may no longer be "hurried into wars." The ending contains a good sense of plot closure that suggests Aeneas will not suffer defeat anymore. His role has changed from that of the defeated Trojan to the victorious Latin. The transformation from a defeated warrior to a victorious leader commences in Book 7 when he is welcomed by King Latinus. However, new troubles brew as Turnus challenges Aeneas in battle. Aeneas is not fully free from his troubles until the conclusion of Book 12, when he lays the final blow.

Aeneas shifts his identity from being truly Trojan to being willing to Latinize his culture. When he visits the oracle at the Temple of Apollo, Aeneas verbalizes his vision of the future. He says to the god, "Heav'n has promis'd to my fate, / to conquer and command the Latian state; / to fix my wand'ring gods, and find a place / for the long exiles of the Trojan race." The Trojan race are a people without a land; that much does not change until Book 7. In Book 7, Latinus understands the importance of Aeneas's arrival on his soil. He refers to Aeneas as the "foreign prince," who was "by fate decreed / to share his scepter, and Lavinia's bed." Latinus also notes that the Trojans were the "race that sure portents foreshew / to sway the… READ MORE

Quoted Instructions for "Aeneid Aeneas Is a Complex, Multi-Dimensional Character" Assignment:

After reading the Aeneid, you know how Aeneas changes throughout the epic. You will compose a character analysis of Aeneas. Your essay must have an introduction with a clear thesis that is underlined, complete body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.

Assignment:

Compose a 4 page essay that examines and 4 major changes in Aeneas***** character. Your main focus will be on explaining what the changes are and how and why these 4 major changes take place. But include when and where these changes occur as an initial part of your first body paragraph for each major change. Make sure your supporting evidence is solid. This means if you say Aeneas is initially a nice person but changes into a mean person, you have to give evidence of things he did that were nice and then evidence of things he does that are mean.

This assignment does not require outside research. Do not try to rely on SparkNotes or CliffsNotes for the basis of your analysis: 1) They basically say the same thing 2) They only give general information. You will physically have to read all of the Aeneid to compose your essay or else it will sound and be extremely generic.

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Aeneid Aeneas Is a Complex, Multi-Dimensional Character.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2009, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/aeneid-aeneas-complex/98017. Accessed 6 Jul 2024.

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A1-TermPaper.com. (2009). Aeneid Aeneas Is a Complex, Multi-Dimensional Character. [online] Available at: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/aeneid-aeneas-complex/98017 [Accessed 6 Jul, 2024].
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[1] ”Aeneid Aeneas Is a Complex, Multi-Dimensional Character”, A1-TermPaper.com, 2009. [Online]. Available: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/aeneid-aeneas-complex/98017. [Accessed: 6-Jul-2024].
1. Aeneid Aeneas Is a Complex, Multi-Dimensional Character [Internet]. A1-TermPaper.com. 2009 [cited 6 July 2024]. Available from: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/aeneid-aeneas-complex/98017
1. Aeneid Aeneas Is a Complex, Multi-Dimensional Character. A1-TermPaper.com. https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/aeneid-aeneas-complex/98017. Published 2009. Accessed July 6, 2024.

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