Classics - world of the hero

Name some scholar quotes regarding aeneas’ character

“Aeneas is too often a puppet”- Duff

“Aeneas is known for his piety”- Griffin

rather than being strongly driven by an internal desire or ambition, he is forced into a mission by circumstances beyond his control. “ Phillip Hardie

Name some scholar quotes regarding women in the aeneid

Virgil builds up a picture of a totally admirable and enviable queen!- Williams

“All of the powerful women in the aeneid die except Lavinia who doesnt speak”- Hall

Historical and political

“Augustus wanted an epic poem with himself as the hero” -Quinn

Virgil does not seem reluctant to raise difficult political issues in his poetry - morwood

Trying to depict a character whom Romans of his day could model themselves - Quinn

WAR

Virgil in truth hated war - SEMPLE

GODS

“The Aeneid is not a poem about religion…yet Fate and the gods are everywhere throughout the poem, seeming to be always in control. DAVID ROSS

What did david ross say

“The Aeneid is not a poem about religion…yet Fate and the gods are everywhere throughout the poem, seeming to be always in control.

what did morwood say

Virgil does not seem reluctant to raise difficult political issues in his poetry

what did phillip hardie say

rather than being strongly driven by an internal desire or ambition, he is forced into a mission by circumstances beyond his control

What did sowery say

“an innocent victim of the roman destiny”

Draw a mindmap about themes in the odyssey

the gods

• Athene’s influence is manifested in various ways: 

  • In the counsel of the gods she pushes for Odysseus’ release. 

  • She plays an instrumental role in the maturation of Telemachus. 

  • She calms the waves after Poseidon’s storm. 

  • She arranges the meeting of Nausicaa and Odysseus which eventually 

  • allows him to return to Ithaca. 

  • Athene inspires Nausicaa - removes her fear, also visits her in dream

  • She provides the beggar disguise which protects Odysseus in Ithaca. 

  • She plans the downfall of the Suitors with Odysseus. 

  • She is present in the battle, urging on the hero and deflecting spears. 

  • She stops the final fight in Book 24. 

  Hermes:

  • Advises calypso to allow Odysseus to leave

  • Gives Odysseus a herb to stop Circe turning him into a pig, and advises him to get her to swear an oath and what to do

  Aeolus -

  • Gifts Odysseus a bag of winds

   Disguise and recognition:

• Book one : Athena visits Ithaca disguised as Menthes - then flies away as bird

  Telemachus recognises/realises a god has been with him

  Significance: her arrival gives Telemachus courage and hope, made more god like. (places on same level as his father)

  Book 6:

  Athena visits Nausicaa in physical disguise as someone Nausicaa knows, leans over in dream to implement the idea of marriage and going to river to wash clothes

  Athene beautifies Odysseus

  Book 7:

  • Athena  disguises as a young girl with a pitcher, shows the way and advises Odysseus

  Book 8:

  • Athena disguised as Alcinous herald, marker of discus

  Book 13:

  • Athena disguised as a shepherd, Odysseus lies about Crete and then Athena reveals herself relatively quickly and admires his wit.

  • Significance:  Reveals Odysseus' wit/cunning, Athena advises him on not revealing himself, to test Penelope, and reveals he is home.

    Revenge and Justice

  • Fates of the Iliadic heroes in the underworld (Bk.11)

  • Polyphemus' prophecy making O's travel worse (Bk.9)

  • The fates of the evil slaves (Bk.23)

    • Sleeps with suitors

    • Snitch on Penelope

    • Melantho insult O as the beggar

    • Death of Melanthius, genitals cut off etc…

  • Zeus' revenge for the killing of the cattle

  • Conversation with Amphinous and his fated death

  • Punishment of the Phaecians

  • Cicones retaliation against Odysseus

    • Actions of the gods e.g. fated death of the suitors such as Antinous: 

      ‘Anti-mind’, the son of Eupeithes, and one of the leading Suitors.  Aggressive, confrontational, most antagonistic and forthright leader of suitors. 

      Bk 1: He hopes Telemachus will never be king of Ithaca. Leader of plot to kill Telemachus

      BK17:  Doesn’t listen to Odysseus story as a beggar, deos not sympathise. Hurls a stool at Odysseus

      BK18:Incites Irus and Odysseus to fight - places a prize to get them to engage, excited by them fighting and jokes about mutilation.

       

      Eurymachus:

      Bk:18: taunts Odysseus, attacks Odysseus but fails to harm hi

       

    • Justice in Odysseus completing his further task from Tiresias