THE AENEID BY VIRGIL (NOTES BY ROJI)
BOOK 1
I think at the beginning of the Aeneid, Aeneas is presented as stoic. The reason being is that
“he kept his misery deep in his heart” after the hardships his family and himself endured from
escaping Troy. Stoicism is when a person suffers but doesn’t complain and perseveres
throughout their journey. This is what Aeneas does throughout his journey. Aeneas is also
presented as a motivator to his men, as his dialogue is a motivational speech to bring some
optimism to his people and make them keep their hopes as they progress to find a home for
safety. For instance Aeneas says “summon up your courage once again”, advising his
followers to not lose hope and be brave when facing inevitable dangers throughout their
journeys. In his dialogue, Aeneas does not complain about the hardships him and his
followers faced, which links in with Virgil’s characterisation of Aeneas’ stoicism.
What we learn about the What we learn about the What we learn about the
character of Venus character of Aeneas relationship between the two
characters
Venus cries as her son Aeneas has a stoic Venus cares for her son
deals with the hardships. approach when it comes to deeply (maternal instinct)
- “Her shining dealing with his misfortunes and was upset about the
brimming with tears” at Troy. sack of Troy.
- “Spoke with a - “He kept his misery
sadness greater than deep in his heart” Aeneas however is
his own” frustrated towards his
He is also recognised for his mother, because he thinks
She cares about Aeneas’ pietas. that Venus is being distant
life and complains to her - “I am Aeneas, known towards him.
own father Jupiter, as to why for my devotion”
is he allowing fate to make (MISTRANSLATION- IRONY: Venus is the
Aeneas’ life harder. replace devotion with Goddess of Love but she
pietas). ditches Aeneas when he is
She even does augury in a vulnerable state.
(fortelling Aeneas’ However he craves for the - Perhaps Aeneas
prophecy) to help Aeneas, human physical attention was going to talk
despite being in disguise. from his mother Venus, but about his traumas he
he doesn’t receive them faced at Troy but
However, since she leaves (perhaps since Venus is a since Venus leaves,
Aeneas without answering goddess and doesn’t this is why he asks
his questions, she comes off express emotional actions in questions about her
as distant which is ironic a mortal manner) uses of disguise etc.
since she is the Goddess of - “Why do you so
Love. often mock your own
son by taking on
these disguises?”
- “Why am I never
allowed to take your
hand in mine”
