How Does Virgil Use Pietas In The Aeneid
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
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(point) Aeneas first thought was to grab his weapon and rush to defense of his country. Aeneas states (evidence) “Frantically I 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
(point) Aeneas first thought was to grab his weapon and rush to defense of his country. Aeneas states (evidence) “Frantically I 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