Epics The Aeneid And Metamorphoses A Comparison

Essay, Research Paper

Epics The Aeneid and Metamorphoses: A Comparison

Both Vergil and Ovid imbedded underlying meanings in their epics The

Aeneid and Metamorphoses. In this paper I will focus on the underlying meaning

in the Underworld scene in Vergil’s The Aeneid (lines 356 through 1199). I will

also focus on three scenes in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Both epics contain a larger

message about the importance of the Roman past for its present and future under

Augustus.

The story of Aeneas in the Underworld can be interpreted as a brilliant

rendition of the story of Rome’s past, present, and future. When Aeneas

descends into the Underworld, he is escorted by the Sibyl (lines 347 – 349).

This gives the readers a clue that what is to happen in the upcoming text is a

foretelling of Roman future because the Sibyl was a prophetess (Course Packet,

p16).

As Aeneas enters the Underworld, he sees numerous horrible sights: Grief,

Disease, Old Age, Fear, Hunger, and several others. (Lines 356 – 379) These

unsettling and dark words bring difficult images to the reader’s mind. These

lines foretell that there will be difficulties while Rome is in its infancy

through phrases like “lonely night” and “phantom kingdom”. Rome did indeed have

difficulties in its infancy; in the 7th and 6th centuries BCE it was ruled by

Etruscan kings and was only “… a little hill town.” (Short Histories, p20)

Lines 390 through 549 in The Aeneid deal with the crossing of the River

Styx. This represents a great transition period in Rome. It symbolizes the

founding of the Republic. The multitude of rushing and swarming people (Line

402) represents those that suffered the “internal turmoil” in the early stages

of the Republic. (Short Histories, p21) When Aeneas mentions, “… and by what

rule must some keep off the bank …” (Lines 419 – 421) he may symbolically be

referring to the “Struggle of the Orders” that the early Republic experienced.

(Short Histories, p22)

As Aeneas wanders through the Underworld, he notices Dido wandering

about. (Lines 593 – 626) He tries to talk to her, but his words serve no

purpose; she flees from him. He then sees the souls of those who died in battle.

(Lines 628 – 650) These lines correspond to the Punic Wars that occurred from

264 to 146 BCE (Short Histories, pg. 24 – 26) because Aeneas offended, and

arguably caused the death of, Dido when he left Carthage where he lived with

Dido. (The Aeneid Book IV, line 300)

In lines 738 – 832 Aeneas beholds the fortress Tartarus and its

inhabitants who are being beaten and whipped. This gruesome scene can be

related to Julius Caesar’s death. The tormented souls could represent the

enemies of Caesar. “Caesar had spared the lives of many of his most famous

enemies…” (Short Histories, p33) These enemies rose up and slew him for his

kindness. The “Tyrant – Slayers” (Short Histories, p34) were soon embattled in

war for their unpopular attack.

After Aeneas witnesses the horrors of Tartarus, he comes upon the Groves

of Blessedness. This utopian abode is where those that served beneficial lives

by helping their country, being pious, or advancing the qualities of life reside.

(Lines 844 – 889) These lines actually have two hidden meanings. Following th

history of Rome, this is the period where Augustus ruled. Vergil is trying to

impress Augustus by relating his wisdom while ruling to a heavenly place. The

second hidden meaning is that Vergil wanted to portray that those who were “good

Roman citizens” had a much greater future to look forward to that those who were

“bad citizens”.

After witnessing all he did in the Underworld, Aeneas finally meets his

father Anchises. From lines 999 through 1190, Anchises tells Aeneas what is to

come in the near future. Anchises lists the descendants of Aeneas, leaving

special mention on Caesar by placing him directly after Romulus. Augustus is

glorified as the son of a god, and many great deeds are spoken on his behalf.

The epic ends on a sad note: that of Marcellus’ death. (Lines 1148 – 1182)

This sad ending foretells that Rome will never achieve its full potential, yet

it will achieve much.

Ovid takes a different approach to his story-telling. Instead of

constructing elaborate events which have double meanings, he simply tells

several stories. Ovid’s works are less complex than Vergil’s, and there is much

less meaning within his stories.

When Pythagoras is speaking, a recurring idea in his speeches is to not

eat the flesh of another animal. (Ovid, p337 – 338) On a symbolic level, he is

lecturing about taking another person’s life. In this sense, Pythagoras may be

speaking against murder, and against war. By stating that “… creatures trying

to kill us may be killed …” (p 337) he is implying that it may be necessary to

defend one’s life against attack, but one should never attack another. In view

of Rome’s past, this lecture may have come about as a result of the Punic Wars

when a large deportation of males from Rome as soldiers caused a serious

manpower shortage within the city. (Short Histories, p 25 – 27)

Another important message in Pythagoras’ speech is that of change.

Pythagoras gives several examples of how things seem to change, yet they somehow

remain in their original form. (Ovid, p339 – 341) This story can be related to

Rome itself. The city, throughout the centuries, changed much. At times it was

a mighty empire, at times it was on the verge of collapse. Yet throughout the

centuries, Rome has survived in some form, and will continue to do so.

Ovid’s last story is that of Julius Caesar, his death, and of Augustus’

reign. In this part of the epic, the gods play a role in the death of Julius

Caesar. Venus tries to let Caesar live, but the other gods intervene and tell

her that it is his fate to die (p 355 – 356). Caesar does indeed die, but he is

turned into a god upon his death. This glorifies is heir Augustus because he

now is the son of a god. Ovid is trying to impress Augustus with flattering

words, and by involving so many gods in his stories he is almost making Augustus

a living god.