Aeneid Essay Research Paper Doug Malek Latin — страница 2

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asks Aeneas if he is fostering “old-time valor and manliness” in his son. In book four Aeneas’ responsibilities as a father to Ascanius are called into question. Knowing that the familial relationship between father and son is of great importance to Aeneas, Jupiter questions Aeneas’ honor as a forbear who has apparently forgotten his son’s rightful ancestry. Aeneas is becoming too consumed by his own directives and has forgotten about the future of the Trojans. He vows never again to forget his responsibilities as a father. After the Trojans leave Carthage they sail for the coasts of Sicily. Here Aeneas summons his people and announces that he is going to celebrate funeral rites in memory of his father. Anchises, who died on their previous visit to Sicily a year

earlier, was buried there. He makes ceremonial sacrifices at his father’s tomb when an ominous serpent appears and creeps by the temple. After nine days on Sicily, Aeneas and his companions set forth for Italy. All appears to be going well, but Venus, concerned about the safety of her son, asks Neptune to guarantee a safe journey for the Trojans. Neptune complies, but says one life must be sacrificed. Later on in the epic there are other examples of how familial relationships are stressed and the importance of them in the Aeneid. In book eight, King Evander shows how important his son is to him by praying to the gods saying that if his son Pallas dies then let him die also. In book ten the close bond between Mezentius and his son Lausus is shown. After Aeneas has struck

Mezentius with a spear, Lausus risks his own life by going up and shielding his father from Aeneas. Mezentius does not immediately die, but Aeneas instead kills Lausus. After Aeneas kills Lausus he thinks about his own father. When Aeneas kills Mezentius, Mezentius’ only request is that he be buried so he can be with his son. The importance of familial relationships, especially between parent and child can be clearly seen in the Aeneid. Aeneas in his conduct toward Ascanius was certainly a model parent; he loved him, cherished him, and protected him; he unselfishly gave up his own plans and desires in order that Ascanius might fulfill his destiny(Davis 2). Venus also fulfilled her role as a model parent, protecting Aeneas and the Trojans throughout the epic.