Essay on Aneid Character Analysis of Aeneas First Three Books

In the first three books of The Aeneid, Virgil portrays Aeneas as a brave, relentless man destined for greatness in a time of sheer dismay. He is empowered by the gods with the task of leading his Trojan refugees from their destroyed city to Italy, where he will find an empire that will out last the ages. Divine intervention aids Aeneas throughout his journeys and Virgil emphasizes his qualities in leadership, strength, courage, perseverance, and kindness. Facing many obstacles such as the storm that washed his fleet upon the shores of Carthage, or landing on the isle of the Cyclops, Aeneas is driven forward by the will of the Gods, forced from one place to the next in order to fulfill his unacknowledged destiny. Throughout the first†¦show more content†¦Once again aiding her child, Aeneas and his companion made their way through the city with a cloak of dense cloud poured around them, so that no one/ Had the power to see or to accost them,/ Make them halt, or ask what they came for, (I, 565-67) reassuring their safety. After seeing his men and assessing it was safe to reveal himself, Aeneas came forth announcing his thanks to Queen Dido for taking in his fallen Trojans. Astonished, first at the sight/ Of such a captain, then at his misfortune,em saying, Born of an immortal/em Mother though you are, what adverse destiny/ Dogs you through these many kinds of danger? (I, 838-41). Queen Dido realizes his fortune to be alive after the hardships and misfortunes he has surpassed, and understands he is destined for greatness. Because of bitter Junos hatred (I, 914) venus asks amor to ensure Didos faithfulness to Aeneas, to pin her down in passion,/ So she cannot be changed by any power (I, 922-3). Virgil shows how venus aids Aeneas in the first three books to reassure his safety so he can reach Hesperia and so the prophecies of the future will still hold true. As Aeneas tells his adventures prior to landing in Carthage, his tales illustrate his qualities of leadership, honor, bravery, and vulnerability to his emotions.