NOVEMBER 6/7/8: FALSE DREAMS, EMPTY
PICTURES...UNHAPPY
ENDINGS (Aeneid, bks. 6-12)
READINGS (Monday, November 6): the Aeneid, bk 6 pp. 133-62 (pp. 131-60 in newer printings)
READINGS (Tuesday night class, November
7): the Aeneid, bk 4, pp. 81-104;
bk 6, pp. 133-62; bk 8, pp.191-214; bk 9, lines 232-667, pp.
221-31; bk
10, lines 399-1248, pp. 253-73; bk. 12, lines 674-1271, pp. 321-36 (pp. 79-102, 131-60,
188-211, 218-28, 249-69, 316-31 in newer printings)
READINGS (Wednesday, November 8): bk
8, pp. 191-214; bk 9, lines 232-667, pp. 221-31; bk
10, lines 399-1248, pp. 253-73; bk. 12, lines 674-1271, pp. 321-36 (pp. 188-211, 218-28,
249-69, 316-31 in newer printings)
Summary: Book six plays a pivotal role in the structure of the
Aeneid and the development of Aeneas’ character. Aeneas descends
to the Underworld as the son of the Trojan, Anchises, to see the shade
of his father. After his encounters with other shades from his
past
- Palinurus, Deiphobos and Dido, he sees a vision of his future
descendants
and emerges as father of the Romans. This vision of Rome’s
glorious
future is further developed in book eight by the description of the
shield
which, like Achilleus’ marvellous shield, is made for Aeneas by the
god,
Vulcan. On it, there are figures and scenes from Roman history
surrounding
a huge, central image of Octavian’s victory over Marc Antony and
Cleopatra
at Actium. In the underworld, however, the somber tone, the
tragic stories of Brutus and Marcellus, the warnings of civil war, and
Aeneas' puzzling departure through the ivory gate of false dreams may
make us question whether Virgil is celebrating Rome’s achievements with
these prophetic
visions of Roman history.
We will conclude our discussion of the Aeneid
by reading three short episodes that illustrate Virgil’s handling of
the battle narrative: the night expedition of Nisus and Euryalus, the
death of Pallas and Aeneas’ wrath in book ten, and Aeneas’ killing of
Turnus at the end of the poem. We will compare his narrative to
Homer’s, and consider how - and why - he makes use of and
transforms important episodes in the Iliad, such as the spying
expedition of Odysseus and Diomedes (bk. 10), the deaths of Sarpedon
and Patroklos (bk. 16) and the combat between Achilleus and Hektor (bk.
22). This will permit a final assessment of Virgil’s debt to Homer, his
view of Aeneas’ character, and his verdict on Rome’s achievements, and
I would invite you to reflect on overall differences between the
cultures of imperial Rome and classical Greece.
Use the summary to provide a context for the
selections from books eight ,
nine, ten and twelve . In book eight,
Venus asks her husband, Vulcan, to make a shield for Aeneas. Aeneas has
been seeking allies for his fight against Turnus and the Latins, and
Virgil describes the aged king, Evander, bidding farewell to his young
son, Pallas, when he sends him off to fight by Aeneas’ side. Finally,
there is a detailed description of the historical scenes on the shield
of Aeneas. In book nine, the Trojans are besieged - in Aeneas'
absence - and Nisus and Euryalus propose to sneak through the Latin
battle lines and get a message to Aeneas; their expedition ends
tragically. In book ten (pp. 253-73), Aeneas returns to the
Trojan camp, and Pallas scores successes on the battlefield before he
is killed by Turnus. Furious, Aeneas goes on a rampage. Turnus is
rescued by the gods, but Aeneas kills the young warrior, Lausus, and
his father, the tyrant, Mezentius. In the final scene (pp. 321-36),
Aeneas is
enraged by the breaking of the truce that was arranged to settle the
conflict.
In response, he marches on the city, and, eventually, confronts Turnus
and kills him.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: INTERPRETING AND APPRECIATING THE AENEID
Book six
-What is the significance of the description of Daedalus' carvings
(6.19-53) and the reference to the story of Daedalus and ICARUS
?
-What is the significance of the death of Misenus?
-What is accomplished by Aeneas' meetings with Palinurus, Dido and
Deiphobus?
-COMPARING WORKS>>> We are told how Misenus (6.310-15),
Palinurus (6.502-05), Deiphobus (6.667-72), Brutus (6.1090-92), Aeneas'
nurse (7.1-5) and others receive memorials, fame or renown after their
death. Compare Virgil's view of fame with Homer's.
-Can you relate Anchises' description (6.956-93) of a cycle of
reincarnation to themes of the Aeneid?
-What does Aeneas' vision of Rome's future (6.999-1182) tell us
about Virgil's view of Roman history? Why do you think it ends
on such a somber note?
-How do the stories of Daedalus and Icarus and of Marcellus "frame"
book six of the Aeneid?
Books seven to twelve: the wars in
Italy
-COMPARING WORKS>>> Virgil's account of the battles
seems more confusing than Homer's. The scene shifts from place to
place over a wider area than Homer's account of the battles at
Troy. The networks of alliances are more complex, and the two
armies repeatedly exchange roles as attackers and defenders. Do
Virgil's allusions to
the Iliad clarify or further confuse his story? Why?
-COMPARING WORKS>>> Compare the night expedition of
Nisus and Euryalus with that of Odysseus and Diomedes in the
Iliad. Why does their expedition end tragically?
-COMPARING WORKS>>> Compare the death of Pallas and
Aeneas' reaction with the death of Patroklos and Achilleus' response.
Do these episodes recall others in the Iliad?
-Lausus' death defending his father, Mezentius, offers a dramatic
example of filial duty. How and why has Virgil focused on the
relationship between fathers and sons throughout the Aeneid?
-COMPARING WORKS>>> In book 12, the duel between
Aeneas and Turnus and their final combat are modelled on several
episodes
in the Iliad. Identify those episodes and explain how they affect
your reading of the scene.
-How do you interpret the ending of the Aeneid?
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The last books of the Aeneid contain graphic
descriptions of brutal slaughter on the battlefield. Earlier,
Aeneas, describing his futile efforts to fight for Troy, had recalled
how he rushed into battle thinking "how fine a thing it is to die in
arms" (2.432). One of the great poets of World War I, Wilfred
Owen, used part of a phrase from the Roman poet, Horace, as the title
of a bitterly ironic poem (Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori/it is
fine and sweet to die for one's country) and called it that "old
lie". Look up one of the war poems of Wilfred
Owen and compare
his descriptions and views of war to those expressed in the Aeneid.
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<>NEXT CLASS: NOVEMBER 13/14 (OVID: EPIC STORIES,
OTHER VIEWS)
SCHEDULE OF READINGS (Monday/Wednesday)
SCHEDULE OF READINGS (Tuesday night)
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