The Power of Fate in Aeneas Journey. Throughout Virgils Aeneid fate directs the protagonist and hero, Aeneas, via the gods and goddesses.

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Fate and Destruction: The Power of Fate in Aeneas’ Journey

             Throughout Virgil’s Aeneid fate directs the protagonist and hero, Aeneas, via the gods and goddesses. Aeneas makes certain decisions himself, but every aspect of his life and journey are influenced by Fate, prophecy and predictions. Repeatedly the gods, through dreams or visions, appear to him, direct his path and solidify his destiny to found the great city of Rome. Turnus and Dido, both prominent figures in the epic poem who die at the hands of Aeneas, are affected by the Fate of the gods either directly or through Aeneas. The divine sway of the gods and Fate infringes on Aeneas’ free will to control his life and remain a reluctant warrior until the power of raw emotion pushes him to kill Turnus.

             Aeneas is destined to found Rome, but first he must complete a series of obstacles created by the gods, which control his every move. The first sentence of the poem reads, “Wars and a man I sing—an exile driven on by Fate” (Virgil 47). The Fates and the gods have a plan for Aeneas and the time has come to fulfill their arrangements. Being the son of a mortal and goddess (Anchises and Venus) leaves Aeneas as the perfect vehicle for founding Rome, and implies sanctified protection by the gods.

           Aeneas acknowledges his destiny, and despite his unhappiness, continues on his pre-set path because his piety remains strong.  Even Juno, the goddess set against Aeneas and the Trojans, cannot prevent him from Fate. Each Divine intervention pushes Aeneas in a different direction; either setting obstacles, putting him back on his path, or getting him out of a situation that could get him killed. For instance, when the Trojans and Latins are preparing to fight, Venus becomes concerned and intercedes: “now I do come, kneeling before the godhead I adore, begging weapons for my Aeneas, a mother for her son!” (254). Venus uses her powers to aid Aeneas and his men because otherwise they would be killed. With weapons built by Vulcan they have a high advantage over the Latins. Vulcan forges a shield for Aeneas along with swords and armor for his men, but the shield holds the most significance. It tells the story of the Roman glory awaiting Italy. Therefore, not only is the shield an intervention from the gods, but a symbol aiming to spark Aeneas’ excitement about his destiny because he is a reluctant warrior: “The captain Aeneas…extended the olive branch of peace: ‘We’re Trojans born. The weapons you see are honed for our foes, the Latins. They drive us here—as exiles—with all the arrogance of war” (245). He views war as arrogant, a very bold statement for a supposed head of a fleet. Without intrusion, Aeneas would follow his own path and emotions, but the gods cannot have that, as seen with the passionate, erotic, love affair with Dido, Queen of Carthage.

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             Aeneas turns from a handsome, valiant warrior, to a man depicted as cold and heartless, who only has eyes for the gods, which occurs partially at the hands of the gods, but also from Aeneas’ own self-interest. Venus, once again, fears for Aeneas’ life when entering Carthage because she is concerned about the city waging war on the Trojans.  She inspires another intervention by causing Dido to fall in love with Aeneas. She sends Cupid down and says, “poison the queen and she will never know” (70). On Venus’ command Cupid heads to the ...

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