Same With Out It Essay, Research Paper
Fate – Would Homer & Virgil be the same with out it?
In Virgil’s Aeneid and Homer’s Iliad, a picture of the supernatural and its workings was created. In both works, there is a concept of a fixed order of events which is called fate. Fate involves two parts. First, there are laws that govern certain parts of mens’ lives, such as human mortality and an afterlife. Second, fate deals with the inevitable outcome of certain events, outcomes that cannot be changed by men or gods.
Both Homer and Virgil allude to the existence of unchangeable laws, one of which is the mortality of human beings. This can be seen by the fact that character after character dies during war. In Virgil’s Aeneid, Aeneas journeys to Hades to visit his father. During his stay, he talks to a large number of the warriors that have died in the Trojan War. The death of these warriors shows the mortality of human beings (Forman 2015). Another unchangeable law is the period of limbo that is said to await the souls of the unburied after death. Homer indicates this law by writing of Patroklos’ spirit’s return to remind Achilles that, until he has been properly buried, he must wander the earth. These events show Virgil’s and Homer’s belief in laws that cannot be changed (Strong 62).
The second element of Fate deals with the unalterable predestined occurrence of certain events. One example of such an event is the fall of Troy. According to Homer, the destruction of Troy was foretold in Hekuba’s dream that her son, Paris, would be the cause. This prophecy was confirmed by a seer. Although Hekuba tried to avert the disaster by attempting to have Paris killed, fate overcame and Troy was destroyed as a result of Paris’ judgment concerning the golden apple of discord (Strong 15-16). Virgil also writes about a similar situation when Venus pleads with Jupiter to help Aeneas with his journey.
Meanwhile, on Olympus, Venus, the mother of Aeneas, berates Jupiter for allowing her son to be persecuted in such a manner. Jupiter calms her and reminds her of the many prophecies concerning her son and his progeny: how he will found the city of Lavinium in Latium and win a great war; how his son Acanius will build the city of Alba Longa; how the twins Romulus and Remus, his descendants, will be born in this town and how they will found the city of Rome (Milch 22).
The union of the Trojans and Latins to form a new race is another example of a predestined event found in the Aeneid. This illustrates the unchangeable will of Fate, even to the degree that the gods believe what is foretold must happen (Camp 42).
Even though certain events are ordained by Fate, the time tables for these events are flexible. Since Achilles was mortal, he was ordained by fate to die during the Trojan War. This can be seen in the Iliad when Homer writes about Achilles. Though his death was inevitable, it was postponed as a result of being dipped in the River Styx. “…at birth, his mother dipped him in the River Styx, rendering him immortal everywhere except in the heel, where she had held him…” Fate finally ruled when Paris shot him in the heel with a poisoned arrow, causing his demise (Strong 17).
Virgil also shows that Fate may be delayed when he writes about Juno’s attempt to stop Aeneas from founding Rome. When Juno sees Aeneas coming close to his goal she asks Aeolus, god of winds, to blow the Trojans off course. Their ships are destroyed and they wash up on the shores of Africa, close to the city of Carthage. Once in Carthage, the shipwrecked survivors are welcomed by Dido, queen of Carthage. Juno and Venus collaborate about Aeneas’ marriage to Dido. “She [Venus] agrees to the marriage, knowing that it cannot meet Juipiter’s or fate’s approval – as Juno, where she less irrational, should also know.” (Anderson 44). At the request of Venus, Cupid, in the form of Acanius, casts a spell on Dido causing her to fall in love with Aeneas.
Taking advantage of these events in a further attempt to detain Aeneas far from his Italian goal, Juno, with the complicity of Venus, thrusts the unfortunate Dido into the arms of her Trojan guest. Surrendering himself to the delights of a mad passion, the Trojan hero forgets his predestined mission for twelve long months. When Jupiter imperiously takes him to task, however, he remembers the duty fate has laid upon him and leaves Carthage and the delights of love, setting sail to the light of the funeral pyre in which the despairing Dido has thrown herself (Brisson 23-24).
Aeneas and Dido’s relationship and the destruction of Dido parallels Rome’s destruction of Carthage. It is a repetition of fate in which Dido represents Carthage and Aeneas represents Rome.
The fall of Troy to the Greeks was ordained by Fate, but could have taken place as much as ten years later than it did. These events reflect Homer’s and Virgil’s belief in the existence of Fate as inevitable, yet, at the same time, general and imprecise (Camp 42).
The works of Homer and Virgil show their belief in the reality of Fate being composed of two parts. Both parts describe the existence of fate’s unchangeable laws. Both authors are successful in depicting predestined events that cannot be changed by the powers of gods or prayers of men. Although fate is not predominant in the writings of our modern world, in the works of the ancient world; especially in Homer and Virgil, fate must be present for the heroes to accomplish their destiny.
Biblography
Anderson, William S. The Art of The Aeneid. Prentice Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ., 1969.
Bertman, Stephen. “Modern values: the challenge of myth.” Vital Speches. 1 June 1993: 508-512.
Brisson, Jean-Paul. “Aeneas, Rome’s man of destiny.” UNESCO Courier. September 1989: 23-27.
Camps, W. A. An Introduction to “Vergil’s” Aenid. Oxford England: Oxford University Press, 1969.
Forman, Robert J. “AENID.” Magill’s Survey of World Literature. Ed. Frank M. Magill. Vol 6. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 1993.
Milch, Robert J. THE AENEID Notes. Lincon, Nebraska: Cliff Notes, Inc., 1963.
Poschl, Victor. The Art of Vergil. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1962.
Strong, Elaine. THE ILIAD Notes. Lincon Nebraska: Cliff Notes, Inc., 1986.
“The Aenid.” Prentice Hall Literature World Masterpieces. Englewood, N.J., 1991.
Другие работы по теме:
Things Are Not What They Seem Essay
, Research Paper Things Are Not Always What They Seem William Faulkner s short story A Rose for Emily centers around Miss Emily and what the townspeople think of Miss Emily. One of the themes for A Rose for Emily is appearance versus reality. This theme of appearance versus reality can be seen through what the townspeople think of Miss Emily and by the actions taken by Miss Emily.
Homer Essay Research Paper HOMERThere is no
Homer Essay, Research Paper HOMER There is no question that the writer of the Iliad and the Odyssey was one of the greatest poets in the history of Western Europe, but aside from this, very little can be said about him. Ancient Greek tradition, as well as a study of language and the style of the poems indicates that he probably lived and wrote sometime in the eighth or ninth centuries B.C., but no more definite date can be determined.
Parataxis Of Homer Essay Research Paper Throughout
Parataxis Of Homer Essay, Research Paper Throughout the epic poem The Odyssey, Homer employs a technique called parataxis. This technique is used frequently to identify characters in the book or explaining an event.
Le Diable Et L
’homme Essay, Research Paper Il ?tait une fois l? a v?cu un homme ? c?t? du nom de Homer. Homer ?tait un homme tr?s gros, qui a appr?ci? la nourriture beaucoup, particuli?rement des beignets. Il a recherch? toute sa vie un
The Aeneid Essay Research Paper A Common
The Aeneid Essay, Research Paper A Common Thread While outwardly similar, the characters Aeneas and Odysseus are inwardly as different as the authors that brought them to life. The respective views of the authors societies on gender, race, and social conduct are seen throughout the epics in the characterization and interaction of their heroes.
The Iliad Basic Human Nature Essay
, Research Paper As humans we are gifted (or cursed depending on how you look at it) with certain inescapable traits. Homer does an excellent job showing the traits through the heroes of the Iliad. This essay will discuss how the basic human nature of a few of Homer s characters determines their fate.
HomerS Odyssey And VirgilS Aeneid Essay Research
Paper Virgil was a creative genius fromhis time, but it can be understandable that many of his works may have been influenced fromprevious works of literature. The Aeneid is not only a personal epic aboutn Aeneas, ut also exaltation and beautification of ROme and the future of the people. There is a greater emphasis placed upon the founding of ROme rather than the actual adventure of Aeneas.
The Odyssey Vs The Aeneid Essay Research
Paper Comparisons: The Odyssey The Aeneid Virgil was a creative genius from his time, but it can be understandable that many of his works may have been influenced from previous works of literacy. A comparison of Virgil?s, The Aeneid, and Homer?s, The Odyssey, will help to show the different aspects of Roman and Greek cultures.
The Illiad Essay Research Paper The IliadThe
The Illiad Essay, Research Paper The Iliad The way Homer wrote this text is similar to warfare today, especially the feelings. There are some differences though. At the end of the passage, Homer wrote War is men s business; and this war is the business of everyone in Ilium, myself above all. That is stating that only men fight in wars.
Virgil The Art Of Imitating Homer Essay
, Research Paper Oprah, Uma. Uma, Oprah. 1 Homer, Virgil. Virgil, Homer. The Aeneid, the greatest Latin epic of the battles and wanderings of the Trojan hero, Aeneas, and his founding of the ruling line
The Odyssey An Epic By Homer Essay
, Research Paper The Odyssey: An Epic By Homer What do you consider to be a hero? What traits should a hero have? My hero is Odysseus. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus proves to be a true epic hero through his intelligence, bravery, and loyalty.
Virtues In The Aeneid Essay Research Paper
Virtues to the Romans were of the utmost importance. Their virtues were much like ours in the fact that they are a particular excellence in a person that is commendable and a standard of morality. The family, country, and gods were the most valued aspects of a Roman citizens life as stated in Religion in Virgil by Cyril Bailey The pietas, then, which is the expression of man s relation to the gods, extends itself to the other members of these groups: it is part of pietas to the gods to be in the right relation and to act aright toward the members of your own family and toward your state (Bailey p.80).
In The Heat Of The Night Essay
, Research Paper In the Heat of the Night Essay For my essay I have chosen to write about the topic about Tibbs and Gillespie understanding and respecting each other. In the beginning of this story Gillespie thought of Virgil as he would of thought of any other Negro, but soon he found out he was wrong, Virgil was a very gifted detective with lots of skills.
Odysseus And Aeneas Essay Research Paper If
Odysseus And Aeneas Essay, Research Paper If there is any possibility that a comparison could be made with the famous journeys of Odysseus and Aeneas, it must be known that Aeneas is actually a hero
MortalityAs Seen In Homer
’s Iliad Essay, Research Paper Zeus views mortality as the ability to pass to the domain of Hades, by which Zeus has no control over. The reader knows that even Gods are not immortal according to this definition, for Kronos long ago passed into Hades’ kingdom. Gods do not pass on as easily or as frequently as immortals, but as each immortal dies the Gods are reminded of the existence of the underworld.
Dante And Homer Essay Research Paper Dante
Dante And Homer Essay, Research Paper Dante makes many references to Homer and the Iliad throughout the Inferno. The fates of favorite characters are described during the course of Dante?s
The Significance Of Virgil In The Inferno
Essay, Research Paper Ryan Henson Mind 180 Essay #2 What is the significance of Virgil?s relationship with Dante? The Inferno is an epic poem by Dante Alighieri, one of the greatest poets in the history of western literature. In it, he uses his mastery of language to blend elements of classical literature with a more contemporary Catholic viewpoint.
Iliad By Homer Essay Research Paper ILIADThe
Iliad By Homer Essay, Research Paper ILIAD The Iliad is an epic poem written by Homer .Homer is traditionally believed to be the author both of the Iliad and the Odyssey , the two major epics of Greek antiquity. It is believed that Homer was a blind bard and dictated the epics. Nothing further is known about Homer as an individual , and in fact it is a matter of controversy whether a single person can be said to have written both the Iliad and the Odyssey .Linguistic and historical evidence , however , suggests that the poems were composed in the Greek settlements on the west coast of Asia Minor sometime in the second half of the 8th century BC
The Iliad Essay Research Paper The IliadFrom
The Iliad Essay, Research Paper The Iliad From the beginning of time and continuously through the ages there has always been the struggle between good and evil. Through the Odyssey Homer presents a clear view of both good and evil. Odysseus, the hero and main character of the Odyssey, is portrayed by Homer as the unequivocal essence of goodness and all that is right.
Homer And Virgil Essay Research Paper Comparative
Homer And Virgil Essay, Research Paper Comparative Analysis of the Aeneid, Odyssey, and Iliad The Iliad and the Odyssey are two of the best Greek epics written by Homer. Despite their popularity, almost nothing is known about the author beyond the existence of his masterpieces. Surprisingly enough no concrete evidence of his existence is available; not even to confirm the same person created the two works.
Oresteia Agamemnon FateS Agent Essay Research Paper
ORESTEIA: AGAMEMNON FATE?S AGENT In the Oresteia, instead of being a victim of fate, Agamemnon is its agent, because of the way he is shown in the story. He is it?s agent because he doesn?t fully come into play that he is a full victim that he is a man of confused intentions and acts. He is not a victim of fate because he chooses to make the wrong decisions.
The Aeneid
– Summary Essay, Research Paper The Aeneid – Summary The Aeneid begins and ends with parallels to the Iliad, inviting us to consider Virgil’s poetry in light of Homer’s. The Aeneid is both a tribute to the Homeric style–by imitating it–and an attempt to better it. And perhaps, Virgil is not quite being fair to himself when he invites that comparison; Virgil does not have the Iliad’s tragic irony, and Aeneas is not as powerful a main character as Achilles.
The Aeneid Books Essay Research Paper The
The Aeneid Books Essay, Research Paper The subtlety in the differences between Aneas and Turnus, reflect the subtlety in the differences between the Aeneid and the Iliad. Although
Virgil
’s Aeneid Essay, Research Paper Virgil’s Aeneid The story of Virgil’s Aeneid was drawn from many sources, the most influential being the work of the Greek poet Homer. Virgil based the first six
Romeo And Juliet Fate Essay Research Paper 2
Romeo And Juliet: Fate? Essay, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet: Fate? Why was Romeo`s love for Juliet terminated. Fate or not? Well they met at the royal ball of the montigues until Romeo noticed Juliet. Finally they kissed and
Romeo And Juliet Fate Essay Research Paper
Romeo and Juliet: Fate Throughout Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet, fate manifests itself causing the destruction of many lives. Fate drastically affects the lives of
Fate Or Free Will In Beowolf Essay
, Research Paper Beowulf’s Fate or Free Will Lori Mixon In the epic Beowulf translated by Burton Raffel fate plays a major role in the characters lives. Characters allow fate to influence them and how they go about doing things. But is it really fate or peoples tendencies to do what they chose too. ” Fate saves the living when they drive death away by themselves.”(Pg. 9)
Achilles The Super Yuppie Essay Research Paper
Achilles: The Super Yuppie In the beginning of Homer s The Iliad, Achilles is arguing with Agamemnon over a girl. Since Achilles does not get what he wants, he decides to leave the battle that they are in. However, this is no small battle, this is the Trojan War. Achilles action shapes the outcome of the battle, for the next fifteen or so books, with the Greeks losing.
Archetypes In A Rose For Emily Essay
, Research Paper Melissa Clark English 102 Oakes 4/9/97 Archetypes in A Rose for Emily Archetypes are, by definition, previous images, characters, or patterns that recur throughout literature and though consistently enough to be considered a universal concept or situation. Archetypes also can be described as complexes of experiences that come upon us like fate, and their effects are felt in our most personal life.
Fate Essay Research Paper Webster defines fate
Fate Essay, Research Paper Webster defines fate as a ? a power thought to control all events and impossible to resist? ?a persons destiny.? This would imply that fate has an over whelming power over the mind. This thing called fate is able to control a person and that person has no ability to change it.
Human Comedy Essay Research Paper One Day
Human Comedy Essay, Research Paper One Day Homer Macauley signs up for a telegram delivery job and gets it. While he delivers these letters he discovers the truth about love, hope, and pain
Rose For Emily Essay Research Paper Analysis
Rose For Emily Essay, Research Paper Analysis of ?A Rose for Emily? In William Faulkner?s short story, ?A Rose for Emily,? obsession plays a key role in the developing personality of the protagonist, Emily Grierson. Because Emily was
The Human Comedy Essay Research Paper Human
The Human Comedy Essay, Research Paper Human Maturity William Saroyan s The Human Comedy, deals with ravages of life. Due to these trials, Homer is forced to mature. How he matures is a result of facing the challenges. Two very import themes that help homer mature are family and death.