Virgils Aeneid Books 1 2 4 6 Structure

Virgil’s Aeneid Books 1, 2, 4 & 6 Structure, plot, characters, function of the gods, theme of Rome’s world missions

Aeneas’ journey

Who was Virgil? • Born 70 BC near Mantua. • Son of a prosperous father. • University educated. • In 30 BC began to compose Aeneid by 19 BC is was virtually complete • Died later in 19 BC • Left instructions for poem to be destroyed.

Where is the story from? • V uses the story of Troy as a beginning , but gave his poem a Roman theme and purpose. • It mirrors the Odyssey by Homer.

Why did Virgil write the Aeneid? p 5 • To write a Roman Epic • To give the Romans a pedigree • To justify Roman imperialism • To show the gods favoured Rome • To glorify Italy • To justify Augustus’ dictatorship • To glorify the Julian family

Greek gods become Roman Greek Juno Hera Venus Zeus Neptune Fates Cupid Moirae

Roman Juno Venus Jupiter Neptune Greek Hera Aphrodite Zeus Poseidon Fates Moirae Cupid Eros

Book 1 Answers Who is giving the Trjans a hard time? Why? Give four reasons. 1. Juno resented Jupiter’s making the Trojan 2. 3. 4. Ganymede a favourite. She hated Paris for deciding Venus was the most beautiful goddess. She helped the Greeks in the Trojan war. She favoured Carthage and feared the Romans, Trojan descendants, would destroy the city.

When we meet Aeneas for the first time, where is he and what is happening? What is he feeling and why? • Aeneas is on a ship en route to Italy from Sicily, when Juno’s storm strikes his fleet. He is scared stiff and wishing he died in Troy.

Who is particularly keeping an eye on Aeneas? Why? • Venus is looking after Aeneas as she is his mother.

What happened to Dido before we meet her? • Dido has been married to Sychaeus, but her brother killed her husband. So she left her homeland, Tyre, and migrated with companions to Africa where she was building Carthage.

The meeting of Dido and Aeneas and the welcome Dido gives Aeneas have been manipulated by Juno, Jupiter and Venus. What part does each play? • Juno caused the storm which blew Aeneas’ fleet • • to Africa, p. 32. Jupiter sends Mercury to make sure Dido welcomes Aeneas, p. 36. Venus makes Dido fall in love with Aeneas to make extra certain Dido won’t harm him, p. 47.

What event at the end of Book 1 skilfully leads into Book 2, and the tale of Aeneas’ adventures? • Dido gives a banquet to welcome the Trojans and asks Aeneas to tell his story, which he does in book 2.