Virgil Aeneid Translated by John

Virgil

Aeneid

Translated by John Dryden

Year and online location: Written by Virgil in 19 B.C.E.; Published by the Internet Classics archive in 1994:

http://classics.mit.edu/Virgil/aeneid.html

Personal Reaction

In general, I enjoyed the story for several reasons. Firstly, the epic quality of Aeneas' adventures makes not only for a long, but also an exciting reading. It reads like a very long adventure story, at the end of which the reader can hardly help but breathe a sigh of relief. The journey is done at last, and fate has been fulfilled. Another element of the story I enjoyed was the religious connection, joined with the mysterious and mystical. I found the qualities and petty jealousies of the gods both dismaying and humorous. I like the role of Cupid in bringing Dido and Aeneas together, but I felt the gods were somewhat cruel for ripping them apart again. I also mostly like the character of Aeneas. The fact that he is both hero and human makes him accessible for readers and gives him a vulnerable quality that is easy to identify with.

The one thing I do not like about Aeneas is the fact that he is the victim of prophesy rather than the love connection he has with Dido. In fact, I would much rather prefer him to be the victim of love. Perhaps the reason for my reaction here is the fact that Aeneas acts more like a hero than a human being in this case. He does not care enough for Dido to even grant her final request for a baby. Or at least he cares more for his quest than for her. This seems rather cold to me, especially in the light of how they did connect. In turn, Dido began as a very strong female character. It seems however that her heart betrays her, and she is the victim of the love upon which Aeneas turns his back. While I understand, I feel it was entirely unnecessary for her to commit suicide for the sake of a man who is too weak in terms of love to be a worthy companion for her. I did however like that she would not speak to Aeneas when he visits the Underworld. Basically I enjoyed the story. I just feel that both Aeneas and Dido are much too easily victimized by forces, whether natural or supernatural, beyond their control. I feel their innate strength is not adequately manifest in all their actions. Then again, I suppose that their weaknesses provide the author with a way to demonstrate that they are indeed human with human weaknesses and shortcomings.

The Importance of the work for the Humanities

In terms of humanities, I feel that Virgil joins the other masters and artists of his time in several respects. Firstly, its historical value is well worth scholarly effort and time. The work provides the reader with an accurate view of the values and concerns of audiences during Virgil's time. It also provides a view of the society of the time, its religious sentiment, and other concerns prevalent in the ancient world.

Furthermore, the work is also an important heritage in terms of Western art and culture. As such, it is worth preserving as the basis of the Humanities as the field is studied today. Works of art like the Aeneid is also valuable in terms of its impact on each individual effort of learning. Each reader, even today, may have a different reaction or learning experience to be derived from the work. Much can for example be learned from Aeneas' tenacity and adherence to his goal to the very end. From Dido, the student can learn how deeply love can affect the heart. Dido's life and death can also serve as a warning for the modern young woman, that this kind of all-consuming love can be dangerous not necessarily to fatal proportions, but also to the general work ethic. In literary terms, Dido also serves as a strong female character who preceded other female leads. In the humanities then, parallels can be drawn between Virgil's work and more recent works of literature for an estimation of the evolution of Western literature.

Quotes (Note: the online version of Dryden's translation is used; therefore quotes are cited by Book and line number rather than page numbers)

Quote #1:

sing of arms and of a man: his fate had made him fugitive: he was the first to journey from the coasts of Troy as far as Italy and the Lavinian shores

Across the lands and waters he was battered beneath the violence of the high ones for the savage Juno's unforgetting anger. (Book 1, lines 1-7) find this quote striking, because it effectively summarizes all twelve volumes of the work in a few lines. It explains exactly the motivations behind Aeneas' journey and actions.