Aeneid Group

Question:

jillreynolds
jillreynolds
Student

In "The Aeneid", why is it necessary to obey the desire of the gods?

How does this contradict Venus' desire for Aeneas to marry Dido not being met?

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Posted by jillreynolds on Saturday February 9, 2008 at 2:38 PM and tagged with aeneas, aeneid, characters, dido, gods, venus.

Answers:


  1. sullymonster Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    In these ancient times, the gods were thought to control all the happenings on Earth.  If success came to a certain person, or to their family, then it was believed that the gods wished it.  If a tornado struck a certain town, it was believed that the town had angered the gods.  Therefore, the people worked hard to always obey the gods' desires. 

    But keep in mind that the gods all work for their own personal goals.  Although Venus does desire Aeneas to say and marry Dido, Jupiter wants Aeneas and his crew to continue their journey to Italy.  The gods are working against each other.  However, Jupiter outranks Venus, being the master of all the gods.  Given the choice, Aeneas must follow his wishes and not his mother's.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/aeneid/one-page-summary

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    Posted by sullymonster on Saturday February 9, 2008 at 2:52 PM