Promoting Morality in the Aeneid and Metamorphoses Essay

Promoting Morality in the Aeneid and Metamorphoses Just as the authors of the Bible use an evocative, almost mythological vehicle to convey covenants and laws that set the moral tone for Hebrew and Christian societies, Latin poets Virgil and Ovid employ a similarly supernatural method to foster their own societal and moral goals in Roman society. Where Virgils Aeneid depicts Aeneas as the ideal, duty-bound Roman patriarch absent from the conflicted Rome of Virgils youth, Ovids Metamorphoses lacks the patriotic undertones of Virgils epic. Instead, Ovids lighthearted Metamorphoses depicts several mythical stories - some not unlike the etiological justifications found in the early Hebrew scriptures - which chronicle the†¦show more content†¦(Book VIII, 162-167) Aeneas, knowing full well that his role in the fate of yet-unformed Rome will involve much personal sacrifice and battle, nevertheless shoulders the metaphorical burden of the state and becomes Augustus desired example of new Roman patriotism and loyalty. Aeneas inherent role as an archetypal Roman citizen stems not only from his conscious acceptance of his fate as the founder of Rome, but his relationship with Roman religion and deep sense of duty as well. As the son of Venus, Aeneas is intrinsically tied to Roman religion; though this relationship not as extreme as the connection between Jesus Christ and Christianity, Aeneas is, in many ways, the Christ of Augustus pro-morality propaganda. Where the doctrines of Christianity - reinforced by the popular phrase What would Jesus do? - constantly imply the importance of emulating Christs behavior, Virgil also stresses the importance of emulating Aeneas implicit duty to his state, a duty which caused him to even scorn the love of Dido at the behest of the gods. I should look after Troy and the loved relics Left me of my people. Priams great hall Should stand again; I should have restored the tower Of Pergamum for Trojans in defeat. But now it is the rich Italian land Apollo tells me I must make for; Italy, Named by his oracles. There is my love; There is my country.