The Role of the Gods in the Aenied - 1000 Words

The Aeneid: Analysis Essay In the Aeneid, many Gods play a role in the story. The king of all deities, Jupiter, the divine antagonist of the destiny of Aeneas, and Venus, his main protector and his mother are the main Gods. Lesser Gods such as Mercury, Neptune, and Aeolus serve as instruments for the main Gods to interfere with during the story. The role of the Gods in The Aeneid play a major part in intervening in certain events and delaying Aeneas journey, but nothing can change what Jupiter has decreed will happen, although they alter the way the events transpire. In book one, the interactions of Gods is clear when Juno is angry that the Trojans are prophesized to destroy her favored city, Carthage. Already having hatred toward the†¦show more content†¦Have you entirely forgotten your own kingdom and your own destiny (Book 4)†? Mercury describes Aeneas as senseless and dumb, however this reminding him of his pietas. Aeneas then makes the heart-piercing decision to leave Carthage and Dido, reasoning with her by saying â€Å"it is not by my own will that I search for Italy†(Book 4). This shows again the assertive role of the Gods. Throughout The Aeneid, the relationship between fate and Gods is very complex and inexorable. Venus and Juno constantly clash over the prediction of the Roman Empire. Jupiter, finally having enough, constructs a council to learn why they have such bitterness when he forbids Italy to clash with the Trojans. Jupiter tells them â€Å"a treaty has been decided and agreed upon and they should accept t his. War will come in the future but not now (Book 10)†. Jupiter’s will trumps the will of any other God’s. The lesser Gods can intervene with the events of the story as much as they want, but Aeneas’s destiny is preordained. Jupiter knows this. Jupiter knows the fates. â€Å"The fates will find their way (Book 10)†. Nothing can change what Jupiter has decreed will happen; although they alter the way the events transpire. When Juno wants to save Turnus, Jupiter tells her that she cannot change his fate by delaying his death. Aeneas’ actual destiny in the story appeared to be proportionally significant with the role of the Gods. Particularly in the first half of theShow MoreRelated Aenied Essay1484 Words   |  6 PagesAenied Many argue that throughout Aenied, Virgil develops Aeneas to be a boring and unheroic character; always acting as he should with apparently no power to act in any other way. Occasionally sidetracked, Aeneas is prodded and redirected by the gods toward his destiny. Aeneas’ mother, Venus, constantly interjects to lead Aeneas toward his fate. 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In this world where the mortal and the supernatural not only coexist but interweave with one another, the Aeneid follows