Civ 1

At the conclusion of the 10 year Trojan War, the Trojan forces had fallen and the city of troy was destroyed by the Greek army. Left with nothing, Aeneas and fellow Trojans abandon Troy and set sail to found a new city. The Aeneid follows Aeneas’s journey and the challenges he faces along the way to fulfilling his destiny of founding the city of Rome. When the story begins, Aeneid is portrayed as dutiful and respectful, as he continues to fulfill his destiny of establishing a new city, despite the challenges and ordeals he and his men face along the way.   A major determinant of Aeneas’s character is his piety and strong will to carry out the plans set forth to him by the Gods. As the poem continues, we witness Aeneas’s piety grow stronger despite the numerous challenges and tests of faith that he endures.
     Aeneas's has many opportunities to stray from his journey, considering the numerous obstacles and challenges that he faces, which include: twice failing to build the new city, encountering stormy weather, and plagued with bad omens and curses. Once in Carthage, Aeneas is welcomed by Dido, a queen whom later lives with and becomes the victim of lust. Aeneas is content in Carthage and losses sight of his destiny until Mercury, sent by Jupiter, reminds Aeneas that his journey must be fulfilled and that his destiny is not with Dido. Although reluctant and displeased with the message he receives, Aeneas obeys the will of the Gods and plans his departure from Carthage. When confronted by Dido regarding his departure, Aeneas explains “I sail for Italy not of my own free will” (Lawall IV.499). Although Aeneas does not want to leave Dido, he is bounded by his piety and faith to follow the will of the Gods at all costs.
    In Aeneas’s final goodbye to Dido, we witness the warrior’s reluctance to leave and his commitment to the Gods. Virgil discusses the challenges that Aeneas faces and eventually overcomes when in the poet’s reference to Aeneas’s “struggle with...