Aeneas can be considered an excellent hero. Discuss.

Review of essay

Rating: 5 star(s)

Response to the question

This is a thorough response to a prompt to discuss how far Aeneas could be considered a hero in the Aeneid. The candidate skilfully accomplishes this, discussing the main values and characteristics of the Aeneid, such as pietas and Aeneas’ role as pater patriae and paterfamilias. The candidate uses this discussion of Aeneas subordination of personal desires and ambitions to a greater, patriotic one to elaborate on the propagandistic value of the poem in the Augustan era and how this contributes to Aeneas’ portrayal as heroic by Virgil. The candidate makes use of ample quotation from the original text to make his or her argument and frames it within a clearly structured essay marked out with a strong introduction and conclusion.

Level of analysis

The level of analysis in this essay is of a high standard. In each paragraph the candidate sets out an argument, backs it up with evidence from the text and then draws his or her conclusion. As mentioned above, there is comprehensive discussion of the major themes of the Aeneid at a level appropriate for A level. However, one area the candidate could have considered more closely was the opposite side of the argument – in what ways did Aeneas not show heroic qualities? In discursive essays it can make your argument more convincing if you set out the arguments to the contrary and then argue against them. The candidate does this to a limited extent, discussing Aeneas’ treatment of Creusa and his relationship with Dido, which could be expanded on. Perhaps the candidate could have considered how Roman interpretations of his treatment of Creusa and Dido might differ from modern ones, which have the benefit of exposure to feminism and the women’s rights movement. In general, however, this essay successfully conveys how Virgil has made Aeneas into an heroic character through his scrupulous pietas and other values and qualities and would be deserving of a high grade at A level.

Quality of writing

The quality of writing in this essay is of a high standard. There are no obvious spelling, grammar or punctuation mistakes, and the essay is written in a style which flows well and is easy to follow. The candidate’s arguments are set out in a clear fashion and within the framework of a well-structured essay.