Essay about Comparing the Aeneid and the Odyssey - 2721 Words

Both the Odyssey and the Aeneid represent their cultures very well, but they express different ideas on what one should strive for in life. There are also different forces that pushed both epics to be written. The Aeneid expresses the Roman idea of pietas which means to show extreme respect for one’s ancestors. We see this in Aeneas when he is pictured caring his father away from burning Troy. He has pietas because he cared so much for his father that in fleeing from Troy he took up his father over his shoulder to save his from certain death. This is not the only major idea in the Aeneid. There is also a very political focus. The Roman were very interested in politics which comes through in the Aeneid. The Odyssey has the Greek†¦show more content†¦Aeneas had to give up true love in order not to disrespect or defy Rome. Giving up true love is a pretty tall order to fulfill for any reason , let alone to give it up because of patriotism. I consider myself a patr iot , but I would not give up anything like true love for my country. When the Romans read the Aeneid they were supposed to understand how important the state was and how much of a duty they had to do what they could for it. Rome was supreme and was to be honored more that anything. The Aeneid showed the people what Aeneas and others went through to start the republic. That’s why it should be honored , for all those hard ships. This is an idea aside from all the other political references. We can see even further into how political the Romans are in Vergil’s use of the present political situation. In his first epic simile he makes a direct reference to Agustus who he is sort of writing the epic poem for in the first place: And just as , often , when a crowd of people is rocked by a rebellion , and the rabble rage in their minds , and firebrands and stones fly fast - for fury finds its weapons - if, by chance , they see a man remarkable for righteousness and service , they are silent and stand attentively ; and he controls their passion by his words and cools their spiritsShow MoreRelatedComparing Virgil s Aeneid And Homer s Odyssey2766 Words   |  12 PagesVirgil’s Aeneid and Homer’s Odyssey the main characters whether they are aware or not fight great odds to survive their journey’s to find home and fulfil their own personal destiny. While the fates of both Odysseus and Aeneas ultimately differ in course and action both are seeking one commonality, home. Homer was a Greek poet whose impact on western culture is still evident today. 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For instance, Odysseus is the epic hero in the Greek epic called, The Odyssey, in which he embodies the cleverness and cunning characteristic that Greek culture admired or Aeneasis the epic hero in Roman epic, The Aeneid, in which he embodies the patriotism and four cardinal virtues of Catholic belief such as prudence, justice, temperance and courage that Romans admired. As the examples are givenRead MoreCompare And Contrast The Gods In Ovid And The Aeneid1987 Words   |  8 Pagesdescribed in the two books and that makes the analysis of the gods in the essay to be conclusive. Ovid and Virgil are writers in the epic tradition but the way they treat gods in Aeneid and metamorphoses displays a difference. Aeneid was written between 29BC up to 19BC after the battle of Actium was fought in 31BC. The Aeneid was written as a celebration of the various achievements of Augustus and helps in rejoicing the development of Rome during that period of time. The book displays a lot of political