Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
Bachelor of Arts in Literature

Readings for Week 4 in LIT 121

Literatures of the World

A. The Aeneid (Vergil)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Virgil, also spelled Vergil, Latin in full Publius

Vergilius Maro, (born October 15, 70 BCE,
Andes, near Mantua [Italy]—died September
21, 19 BCE, Brundisium), Roman poet, best
known for his national epic, the Aeneid (from
c. 30 BCE; unfinished at his death).

Virgil was regarded by the Romans as

their greatest poet, an estimation that
subsequent generations have upheld. His fame
rests chiefly upon the Aeneid, which tells the story of Rome’s legendary founder and
proclaims the Roman mission to civilize the world under divine guidance.

ABOUT THE AENEID

This poem is the distinguished Latin epic which celebrates the glory of Rome
in great poetry. It records the traditional story of the establishment of the Roman
race and thus traces the lineage of the Romans back to Aeneas and Troy. It has
already stood the test of time and will go down in history as one of the world’s great
epics.

The Aeneid, in essence, is Virgil's answer to Homer's Odyssey and Iliad. Much
as Homer's great epics tell the story of the Greeks, the Aeneid is the tale of the
founding of Rome. Although largely fictitious, the narrative interweaves historical
elements with the popular mythology of the era - a technique that speaks to the
poet's power to transform the fruits of imagination into popularly accepted fact.
 THE AENEID CHARACTER LIST (PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS)

CHARACTERS IMAGE DESCRIPTION

(Representation/Portrayal of
the Character)
• The hero and protagonist of this
1. Aeneas epic, Aeneas is the son of Venus
and Anchises.

• Trojan hero destined to found the

Roman race

• Queen of Carthage, in love with

2. Dido Aeneas

3. Anna • Dido’s sister

4. Ascanius • Son of the Trojan prince Aeneas

and Creusa, daughter of Priam.

5. Anchises • Father of Aeneas. Anchises was a

brave and beautiful young man
who slept with Venus.

• Goddess of love and beauty;

6. Venus mother of Aeneas.

7. Juno • Queens of the gods and enemy of the

Trojans
8. Cumaean Sibyl • Prophetess who leads Aeneas to
Hades

9. Latinus • King of the Latins, whom Aeneas

defeats in a battle

10. Lavinia • Latinus’ daughter

11. Turnus
• Latin hero ambitious for the Latin
throne and hand of Lavinia

12. Evander
• Arcandian King; ally of Aeneas

13. Pallas
• Evander’s son
Summary of Vergil’s The Aeneid from books 1-12 (summary of the story is
taken from John Canning’s 100 Great Books)
 Major Themes in The Aeneid

1. Fate Fate is one of the major themes of the epic, The Aeneid,
governing the whole epic, as well as the whole life of the
protagonist, Aeneas. His determination to lay the
foundation for his son and generations to come is to be
fulfilled at every cost. Despite obstacles and divine
challenges thrown by Juno, Aeneas does not waiver in his
resolution and continues to move forward.

2. Divine Divine intervention in human affairs is another major

Intervention theme of the epic, The Aeneid. Some of the gods and
goddesses are so interested in human affairs that they
come down to directly impede the progress of some, or
 to facilitate others, trying to avoid what Fate has
predestined for them.

3. Patriotism Divine intervention in human affairs is another major

theme of the epic, The Aeneid. Some of the gods and
goddesses are so interested in human affairs that they
come down to directly impede the progress of some, or
to facilitate others, trying to avoid what Fate has
predestined for them.

4. Humanity Although there is intervention from deus ex machina and

gods and goddesses siding with one character or
another, there is a clear distinction between good and
bad characters.

5. War War and peace are other major themes of the epic, The
& Peace Aeneid. In fact, it is the very first theme that Virgil
introduces in the opening lines of the epic. Human values,
too, are associated with war and peace. Aeneas’ life
begins with war when he is forced to go into it in Troy and
then it concludes with the Trojans’ arrival in Rome.

6. Vengeance Avenging the death of a loved one is another important

theme of the epic. It is not until the end of the epic,
though, that we see Aeneas engage in an act of
vengeance.

B. The Means to Attain a Happy Life (Martial)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Martial, Latin in full Marcus Valerius

Martialis, (born Mar. 1, AD 38–41, Bilbilis,
Hispania [Spain]—died c. 103), Roman poet
who brought the Latin epigram to perfection
and provided in it a picture of Roman society
during the early empire.
 TRANSCIPT OF THE POEM (Translated by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey)

The poem below is actually his translation of one of the Roman poets
Marial’s Epigrams. The original poem was written roughly 1500 years before
Howard translated it. Howard's translation shows that the elements of a happy
life are timeless and universal.

The Means to attain Happy Life

MARTIAL, the things that do attain

The happy life be these, I find:—
The richesse left, not got with pain;
The fruitful ground, the quiet mind;
The equal friend; no grudge, no strife; 5
No charge of rule, nor governance;
Without disease, the healthful life;
The household of continuance;
The mean diet, no delicate fare;
True wisdom join'd with simpleness; 10
The night dischargèd of all care,
Where wine the wit may not oppress.
The faithful wife, without debate;
Such sleeps as may beguile the night:
Contented with thine own estate 15
Ne wish for death, ne fear his might.

References
Canning, John. 100 Great Books. Masterpieces of All Time.
Edited by John Canning. [with Plates.]. London:
Odhams Books, 1966. Print.

The Aeneid. Gradesaver.com. Retrieved on October 3, 2021.

https://www.gradesaver.com/the-aeneid
Prepared by:

Garcelazo, April A.
AB Literature 4