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Summary World of the Hero Essay Plans
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World of the Hero Essay Plans for A Level Classical Civilisation - OCR. Detailed Plans with quotes and key points - intro and conclusions too. Virgil's Aeneid
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The World of the Hero Essay PlansThe plot of the Aeneid is driven more by gods than mortal. Discuss how far you think this is
true in Virgil’s epic.
Intro: 3 themes, thesis, define terms
Aeneas is just part of the wider plan of the Gods – Fate
o Jupiter makes it clear that Aeneas needs to found the Roman race – he is clear
from Book 1 – “so heavy was the cost of founding the Roman race”
o Apollo’s prophecy in Book 3 – “seek out your ancient mother”
o Mercury gets Aeneas to keep going on his journey in Carthage – Book 4 –
“have you entirely forgotten your own kingdom and your own destiny?”
o P HARDIE - Aeneas's 'colourless character' is because 'rather than being
strongly driven by an internal desire or ambition he is forced into a mission by
circumstances beyond his control’
Impact of divine favour (Aphrodite vs Juno)
o Aphrodite is Aeneas’ mother – “what crime have the Trojan’s committed to
receive this loss of life” – divine favour by appealing to Jupiter for some
support following Juno’s actions in Book 1
o Compare this to Juno getting Aeolus to create a storm because he “cannot
refuse the Queen of the Gods” – trying to hinder Aeneas’ journey
Aeneas as a character that is the focus of the epic
o Aeneas’ desire for Dido that he is caught building the walls of Carthage – “he
caught sight of Aeneas laying the foundation of the citadel”
o Dido – part of the plot – “succumbed to lust” in the cave scene – BUT this
could be blamed on Cupid sitting on Dido’s lap – so gods not mortals
Conclusion – plot is driven more by gods than mortals
The role of fate in the Aeneid reduces suspense and excitement. To what extent do you agree?
Intro: 3 themes, thesis, define terms
Fate as a driving force
o Jupiter makes it clear that Aeneas needs to found the Roman race – he is clear
from Book 1 – “so heavy was the cost of founding the Roman race” – this is
the end goal so the reader knows where Aeneas should end up
o At Delos - Apollo’s prophecy in Book 3 – “seek out your ancient mother”
o “If divine Fate... had not been set against us... would surely have forced us to
tear open the hiding place of the Greeks” – the Gods are not siding with the
Trojans and so Troy will fall – this certainty diminishes the suspense element
The uncertainty of fate
o Dido episode – he loves her so much – they “succumbed to lust” – this is a
suspense element as “by the marriage we have begun” – this is suspense
despite the fact we know Aeneas must continue
o GRANSDEN - Certain events are predetermined, though the precise moment
and circumstances remain flexible
Divine interference causes suspense and excitement
o Venus and Juno – Book 4 – “She saw though the deception and laughed” – we
know Aeneas must move on but the way he goes about it creates suspense
o “The decree of the Fates will stand ... But I shall be able to delay it all and
drag it out” – Juno will continue to mess things up, but we don’t know how
e.g. Amata like a “spinning top” in frenzy = suspense
, Conclusion – role of fate does not undermine the suspense and excitement felt
The main purpose of divine intervention in the Aeneid is to glorify Rome. To what extent do
you agree? – is the journey to the underworld relevant here?
Intro: 3 themes, thesis, define terms
Divine intervention on Aeneas and how it glorifies Rome
o Jupiter makes it clear that Aeneas needs to found the Roman race – he is clear
from Book 1 – “so heavy was the cost of founding the Roman race” – the
divine link between Venus, Aeneas, and the founding of Rome = glory
o At Delos - Apollo’s prophecy in Book 3 – “seek out your ancient mother” –
divine involvement in the founding of Rome = glory
o As Aeneas is acting to found Rome, the actions of the Gods are therefore
contributing to the glorification of Rome
Divine intervention on mortals and how it glorifies Rome
o “He nevertheless carried out the commands of the Gods” – Aeneas continues
his journey despite needing to be reminded by Mercury – this intervention is
keeping Aeneas on track – therefore the fact that the Gods are appearing to
Aeneas glorifies what he will soon found
Instances where divine intervention did not glorify Rome
o “She saw though the deception and laughed” – the cave scene with Dido – this
intervention is not glorifying Rome
o Juno making Amata like a “spinning top” in frenzy = not glorifying Rome in
anyway – BUT it could be argued that this adds another obstacle to make the
cost of founding Rome greater, therefore glorifying it
Conclusion – the purpose of divine intervention is not to glorify Rome – more so to
create greater reader entertainment and suspense
Are the Gods portrayed positively or negatively in the Aeneid?
Intro: 2 themes, thesis, define terms
Positive Portrayal
o “have you entirely forgotten your own kingdom and your own destiny?” –
Gods are reminding Aeneas of his duty = positive – they are also supporting
the founding of what will become Rome – link to Augustus and his link to
Venus = positive depiction of Gods
o The Gods see that there is so much death between the two armies of Aeneas
and Turnus – BUT – the fact that they notice it and have allowed it to get to
that point is a negative depiction
o ZANKER - The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus: Aeneas = “a
representative of divine providence and the will of the gods”
Negative Portrayal
o Gods make Aeneas leave Dido even if it is his duty to continue – especially
negative after Juno and Venus schemed for the cave scheme - “She saw though
the deception and laughed”
o 'The Queen of the Gods ... struck the stubborn doors, bursting the iron-bound
Gates of War' – Juno causing war = negative – Book 7
o Juno making Amata mad – like a “spinning top” in frenzy = negative
Conclusion – Gods are mostly depicted positively with the exception of Juno
How important are the Gods and fate to the plot of the Aeneid?
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