In “The Aeneid”, Virgil describes to the Roman people, through an epic tell, how they came to be. How the great Roman civilization came into power, through the hardship and trials of the Trojan people. Virgil speaks to his people through this text to build pietas or dutifulness in an attempt to mature the virtue of his people. He also provides several examples of not only pietas, but constantia or perseverance as well, both of which are the characteristic traits that he wants his civilization to develop and nurture in an attempt to better the society.
Another great virtue that Virgil focuses on throughout the story is firmitas or tenacity with examples from both Aeneas and the Trojan people. Topic Virgil provides several strong character examples throughout these books, Argument but his sense of pietas allows Aeneas character to mature as a leader and build his virtue with constantia and firmitas all of which Reason Virgil wants to instill onto the Roman people through these illustrations. (topic) Virgil’s first attempt at instilling pietas into Aeneas came when he realized the attack had started. point) Aeneas first thought was to grab his weapon and rush to defense of his country. Aeneas states (evidence) “Frantically seize weapons: not because there is much use for weapons, but my spirit burns to gather men for battle and race to the citadel with my friends: madness and anger hurl my mind headlong, and I think it beautiful to die fighting. “(Virgil 2. 314-317) (explanation 1)
Basically, Aeneas believes that he must be pietas towards his duty to defend his country, even if that leads to his death. (ex 2) Aeneas will perform his duties in the defense of Troy with determination and fearless action no matter the cost to him. ex 3) Virgil is introducing this pietas characteristic into Aeneas, because he believes the Romans should possess this characteristic in their lives. Virgil wants the citizen of Roman to be inspired by Aeneas dutifulness to attack his enemies and defend his country even with such overwhelming odds against him. (transition) Some may argue that Aeneas actions are suicidal, instead of pietas, over the loss of Troy, but Virgil wants his audience to feel despair and grief in Aeneas, in order to build his virtue of dutifulness. He is building this character to become the first leader of the Roman Empire. topic)
Virgil continues with the building of Aeneas character, (point) when Aeneas friends beginning to gather and Aeneas realized that he can now make an attempt to full fill his duty. Aeneas addresses his men with this statement (evidence) “Warriors, bravest of frustrated spirits, if your ardent desire is fixed on following me to the end, you can see our cause’s fate. All the gods by whom this empire was supported have departed, leaving behind their temples and their altars: you aid a burning city: let us die and rush into battle. ” (Virgil 2. 48-353) (explanation 1) Aeneas statement reinforces his belief that he must perform his duty to defend of his country, even though the gods have abandoned them and their countrymen are being slaughtered. (ex 2) Aeneas believes it is his and his men’s duty to die for their country, if called upon to do so. (ex 3)
Virgil is conveying his belief to the Roman citizen that they too should be obedient to their duties, regardless of odds or how daunting the task may be. Virgil provides this example of Aeneas pietas virtue for the Rome, because they may be called upon to defend the empire. transition) Some may argue that Virgil is providing Aeneas with virtue or valor, while this is true Aeneas must possess virtue to perform such a defense, Virgil main focus is on Aeneas duty to protect and lead the Trojan people. (topic) Virgil reinforces pietas in Aeneas character and begins to build the virtue of constantia towards the end of Book II, when Aeneas leads his father and son out of the city, but has lost his wife during their escape. (point) Aeneas, without hesitation or fear, returns to the city of Troy in search of his wife.
Aeneas is speaking about returning to the city to find her with this statement (evidence) “I myself seek the city once more, and take up my shining armour. I’m determined to incur every risk again, and retrace all Troy, and once more expose my life to danger. “(Virgil 2. 783-795) (explanation 1) Aeneas statement is expanding his dutifulness to his wife, but is also adding the virtue of constantia or perseverance. Aeneas statement is full of determination to retrieve his wife from the fallen city. (ex 2) He willingly reenters the city to find her. regardless of the challenges that he may face. ex 3) Virgil is reinforcing pietas into the character of Aeneas, as well as adding constantia to guide the Roman people in the development of their own character. (ex 4) Virgil suggests that the Roman should possess these virtues in all aspect of their lives, not just in the defense of their country but in their family lives as well. (transition)
However, most people believe that constantia is Aeneas strongest virtue, but Virgil’s illustrations disagree, Aeneas strongest virtue is his sense of duty then constantia. Aeneas character must have this passion to fulfill his duty to have the perseverance to see them through. topic) Virgil provides this example of pietas and constantia early in Book I, but after Aeneas character has already started to develop due to the fall of Troy. After the devastating storm, Aeneas directs the remaining ships to head for the closest shore which is the Libyan coast, where Aeneas starts to lift the spirits of his followers by providing food and wine to them. (point) Aeneas is at challenging crossroads because he has just lost several of his ships and people that he cares deeply for, but he must also tend to his remaining followers and reinforce their will to continue their journey.
He comforts his followers with these words (evidence) “Through all these misfortunes, these dangerous times, we head for Latium, where the fates hold peaceful lives for us: there Troy’s kingdom can rise again. Endure, and preserve yourselves for happier days. “(Virgil 1 204-207) (explanation 1) Basically, Aeneas conveys that we must continue to fight, to have perseverance if they want to achieve their duty of establishing a new Troy. (ex 2) He is reinforcing the Trojan commitment to find Latium, no matter how difficult it becomes. ex 3) Virgil provides this example to reinforce his belief in pietas and constantia, that the Roman people must have Aeneas dutifulness and endurance to overcome whatever challenges face the Roman Empire. They must rise above whatever trials and misfortunes they face and conquer them with these virtues of pietas and constantia. (transition) Some may argue that Virgil is instilling firmitas into Aeneas character, but Virgil’s illustration would disagree due to the physical demand that the characters have face. They are physically exhausted from their voyage and Juno murderous attempts to sink the ships.
Virgil allows Aeneas to comfort and build his people’s constantia not their firmitas. (topic) Virgil continue to build on Aeneas virtues by adding firmitas when Dido learns of Aeneas plans to leave Carthage in his pursuit of Italy. Aeneas had secretly been preparing his ships to sail once Jupiter reminded him of his destiny. (point) Dido confronts Aeneas, with what she has discovered and tries to persuade him to stay with her in Carthage. Aeneas refuses with this statement, (evidence) “I saw the god himself in broad daylight enter the city and these very ears drank of his words. Stop rousing our self and me with your complaints.
I do not take course for Italy of my own free will (Virgil 4. 358-361)”. (explanation 1) Aeneas is declining Dido request to stay because of his duty to the Trojan people and the gods. (ex 2) Aeneas believes his people come first and his happiness does not negate the happiness of his people and they must achieve their destiny. (ex 3) Virgil provides this example to the Roman people to show that they must perform their duties with constantia and firmitas regardless of their situation, even though Aeneas was happy and content in Carthage his duty to his people is the responsibility he should be seeking. transition) Aeneas still displays pietas and constantia for his responsibilities in this example, even though Jupiter had to remind him of his lapse in tenacity. Aeneas immediately gets back on track and begins preparing for their departure for Italy and full filling his destiny. Virgil is basically allowing his character to be human and make a mistake, but once this deviation of firmitas is noticed changes must be made. Virgil gives Aeneas the mental strength to leave Dido and the comforts of Carthage in search of the Trojan destiny.
Virgil is reminding the Roman people that they too must stay focused on their goals. (topic) In Book V, Virgil challenges Aeneas leadership when Juno creates more misfortunes for the Trojans. (point) Nautes speaks with Aeneas about the burning of the ships and how they will conquer this misfortune with constantia and tenacity as well. Nautes rises Aeneas sprits with this statement, (evidence) “Son of the Goddess, let us follow wherever fate ebbs or flows, whatever comes, every fortune may be conquered by endurance (Virgil 5 709-710)”. explanation 1) Basically, Nautes is encouraging Aeneas with followership, that his people will follow him wherever their destiny takes them. (ex 2) He knows that Aeneas can defeat any challenge that may arise, just as he has done in the past and as he will with the burn of the ships. (ex 3) Virgil provides this example through Nautes to implicate the follower into constantia and firmitas, basically telling the Roman people to support their leaders when they faultier or lose their tenacity.
Virgil believes that constantia and firmitas is a group effort and the Roman people must encourage one another to be a strong minded society, so they may endure a long peaceful existence. (transition) This example does weaken Aeneas virtues of constantia and firmitas, but it reinforces his ability to lead his people. Aeneas people are encouraging him to lead them during these desperate time. Virgil is empowering Aeneas as a leader by weakening his virtue for an instance. (topic) In Book VI, Virgil provides another example of Aeneas character as he is preparing to enter Hades. point) Aeneas follows the priestess to the entrance into Hades where she charges in and leaves Aeneas behind. Aeneas must also charge in to the dark cave or lose his guide to the underworld. With this statement Virgil highlights Aeneas constantia and tenacity, (evidence)
“So saying, she plunged wildly into the open cave: he, fearlessly, kept pace with his vanishing guide (Virgil 6 262-263)”. (explanation 1) Virgil instills perseverance and tenacity into Aeneas character that allows him to overcome the fear of the situation and hellish creatures that he is about to face. ex 2) Virgil provides this instance of virtue onto the Roman people, so they can come their fears with a strong mind and perseverance so they too may complete the mission at hand. (ex 3) Virgil believes that with a strong mind or perseverance any fear can be overcome and he provides this instance to reinforce that thought to the Roman people. (transition) Some may argue that Virgil is simply instilling virtus or manliness into Aeneas character, which may be true to some extent.
Virgil main focus is to reinforce Aeneas constantia and firmitas, he allows Aeneas the physical and mental strength to keep up with the priestess. If Virgil was instilling virtus Aeneas would be charging by himself without the help of the priestess. Virgil used these examples of pietas, constantia, and firmitas to persuade his readers to perform their duties of country and family at a higher level. He gave them examples of a great leader through the misfortune of the Trojan people, therefore showing them that their ancestors possess these virtues and they should also possess these virtues.
The Romans should be compelled to live like Aeneas and the Trojan people did with dutifulness, perseverance, and of strong mind to serve their country and families no matter the sacrifice or challenges they endure. The Roman leaders should follow the example of Aeneas and lead their people with these same virtue. Virgil is conveying to his people that they as a society will face some of these very challenges as the Trojans did, but with the same pietas, constantia, and firmitas they too will overcome them.