Essay
How heroically does Aeneas behave in events at Troy in Book 2? (20)
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How heroically does Aeneas behave in events at Troy in Book 2? (20)Overall, the extent to which Aeneas can be seen as a heroic character within Book 2 is vastly
dependent on the audience. To a Homeric audience, Aeneas would likely be seen as a heroic
character through his strong drive and passion to protect his values, however, to an
Augustan audience these same actions could be seen as a lack of control and reckless which
in this society would be deemed unheroic.
Firstly, it could be said that Aeneas displays himself to be heroic through his strong will to
fight. For example, Aeneas shows himself to have the Homeric heroic trait of furor through
his deep desire to avenge Troy by killing Helen. To a Homeric audience this passion to
protect his city and loyalty to it could be seen as pietas and would be respected and
understood as a heroic trait. However, to an Augustan audience it would likely be seen as
uncivilised as his rage consumes him, this would be seen as unheroic as the people had been
exposed to the Augustan ideals that heroes should remain in control. Moreover, Aeneas
displays qualities of Charma and desire for Kleos which would be regarded as Homeric
heroic traits. For example, after the Greeks infiltrate Troy, Hector comes to Aeneas in a
dream and tells him to run away and establish a new kingdom. Aeneas then ‘mindlessly put
on (his) armour’ as he thought it was ‘a noble thing to die in arms’. Thus, through Aeneas’
ignorance of Hector’s message we are able to see Aeneas’ desire for Kleos as he would
rather gain the glory of fighting than be seen to run in cowardice, also his strong need to
fight, his charma, is shown through his automatic instinct to prepare for battle. Additionally,
through his willingness to die we are again shown how deeply his desire for Kleos runs thus
showing him to be a Homeric hero. This could also be seen as devotion to his country and
the duty he feels to protect it which would also be respected by a Homeric audience as
heroic. However, the Augustan audience would likely see these actions in a different light.
Aeneas’ duty to his country would likely have been respected however the way he behaves
– putting himself into unnecessary danger, would more likely be seen as senseless, however,
Augustan’s would have looked for a hero who would lead their people not endanger
themselves, thus, he would not be seen in a heroic light. Moreover, his ignorance of Hector
telling him to run away would be seen as a lack of respect for the dead thus he would be
seen as uncivilised which would also be unheroic to an Augustan audience.
Conversely, throughout book 2 Aeneas displays a strong devotion to his family which would
be seen as a heroic trait to both societies. For example, Aeneas shows great devotion to his
father when his father refuses to leave and Aeneas says ‘Did you think I could run away and
leave my father here?’. Through this quotation we are able to see Aeneas sees it to not even
be imaginable to leave his father. Additionally, the use of a rhetorical question would make
the audience question their values and loyalty to their family as well which would highlight
to them the sacrifices Aeneas is making and shows the difficult situation he is in where he is
prioritising his family. As a result, the audience would be able to see the duty Aeneas feels
towards the paterfamilias which would be highly respected by both a Homeric and Augustan
audiences. As to a Homeric audience it would be seen as Homeric to protect one’s family,
whilst to an Augustan audience it would be a valued and heroic trait to respect higher
powers and act in a dutiful way towards one’s family. Additionally, Aeneas continues to
display his care towards his family as when leaving Troy he carries his father. Additionally,
he states as he was leaving he was "So afraid both for the man (he) carried and for the child
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