Critical Review Of Ovid s Aeneid And Aeneid - 1382 Words

Critical Review of Ovid’s and Virgil’s Aeneid The tale of the Aeneid tells the story of Aeneas and how he founds the Roman people. The most well known version of this story is Virgil’s Aeneid. The traditional interpretation of Virgil’s depiction of the hero and the myth is that it was used as propaganda for the new imperial system that the emperor Augustus had introduced. In contrast with this is the Harvard School interpretation, which states that Virgil’s Aeneid is actually undermining the Imperial system. Despite there being some evidence for this, Virgil’s illustration best fits under the traditional interpretation. In contrast with this is Ovid’s Little Aeneid found in his Metamorphoses. This essay will analyse these illustrations†¦show more content†¦Virgil’s portrayal of Aeneas can arguably be based off of Augustus. His characterisation and values he is shown to possess demonstrate that of an ideal Roman citizen; the value most referenced and recognisable in the text is his piety. This refers to his religiousness and his ability to put duty before his own wants and needs. An example of this is him leaving Dido (Virgil Aen, 4.393-394). This abandoning of Dido, although tragic, shows his pietas to the will of the gods, his followers and to his son Iulus. Although a modern view of this part of the story suggests Virgil is pitying Dido and the Carthaginians and presenting Aeneas as cold and unsympathetic, to the Romans of the time Aeneas is performing his duty to the future state. Also, the Roman’s prized moderation and self control therefore Dido’s reaction to Aeneas leaving would be seen as excessive and over-dramatic which would reinforce the idea of non-Romans being barbarians and also demonstrates Virgil’s propagandistic intentions. Virgil successfully uses the Dido affair to strengthen and develop this idea of piety. Ovid’s treatment of Dido and Aeneas is in stark contrast with Virgil’s. Where as Virgil has used it as a device to showcase Aeneas’ leadership and pietas to his people and gods, Ovid mentions it in passing while rushing through to other individual’s stories (Ovid, Met. 14.75). The two narratives of the story are very distinctive; Virgil