The Aeneid is an epic poem written by Virgil. This work narrates the story of Augustus by using the character, Aeneas. The Aeneid is related to Greece and Rome, as the story begins in Troy and ends in Rome. The principal aim of the work is to appreciate the achievements of Augustus, as he had sacrificed his comforts for the welfare of the Roman Empire. Through the character, Aeneas, Virgil shows the emergence of Roman Empire. The hero has escaped from the burning city, Troy. At Carthage, Aeneas falls in love with Queen Dido. Through divine intervention, Aeneas is reminded of his responsibilities. The poem describes the war between the Trojans and Italians. There was the death of the Roman hero, Turnus. Finally, Aeneas is able to achieve victory over his enemies. The work has shown that Aeneas was reluctant to fight against the Trojans. The work also shows that humans face tragedy over a period. It exhibits the relationship between human responsibility and human suffering.
Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey show that humans’ actions can lead to their sufferings. The works of Homer and Virgil refer to death of warriors and innocent individuals. They refer to the Trojan wars and the city of Troy. They show that humans cannot avoid sufferings. At the same time, it is shown that humans become responsible for the death of their friends and relatives. For example, in the Iliad, Achilles has refused to fight, as he questions the decision of Agamemnon. Patroclus, the friend of Achilles faces the enemy without the support of Achilles. Hector, the Trojan leader is able to kill Patroclus. In this way, Achilles becomes responsible for the death of his friend. Patroclus’ death makes Achilles angry, and he kills Hector. The tragic nature of human life is depicted in this work. Like Aeneid, the Odyssey also depicts the death of individuals due to human actions. Odysseus embarks on a journey to achieve his goals. His son, Telemachus, wanders in search of his father. In the meantime, the wife of Odysseus suffers, as she needs to avoid her suitors. Odysseus kills the suitors of his wife, Penelope.
The epic poems, Iliad, Odyssey, and Aeneid, are set in the Greco-Roman world. The Aeneid is inspired by Greek epic poems. The works narrate the events related to Trojans, Greeks, and Romans. It is shown that humans are responsible for their sufferings. Humans commit a few errors. The Aeneid represents a departure from Homeric poems. It narrates the rise of Rome as the center of world civilization. It also glorifies the achievement of the Roman Emperor Augustus.