Is Virgil Merely Copying Homer?
Is Virgil merely copying Homer?
Discuss
Homer and Virgil are both astounding writers of epic poetry. Homer with his Iliad and Virgil with his Aeneid. However when you look below the surface the Aeneid and the Iliad are startlingly similar, in particular that of Aeneid Book 5 and Iliad book 23 which both focus on the funeral games. However though there are structurally similar, ultimately the narratives of both books are very different, so in effect Virgil is not simply copying Homer. This is evident from the different views and values portrayed, the timelines of both books and the ideas depicted.
Aeneid book 5 and Iliad book23 make use of different views and values. Where Homer incorporates the honour code in his heroes, the heroes of Virgil show more pietas.
The heroes of Homer aim to achieve honour, that is the esteem received from one’s peers. Honour is so essential to a hero that life itself would be meaningless. A hero’s honour is determined firstly by his courage, physical abilities and to a lesser extent by his social standing and possessions. The highest honour can only be won in battle. Other heroic activities include hunting and athletics but can only gain an inferior honour; an even lesser honour was won by giving advice in council. Through Homer’s Heroic Code Iliad book 23 is more centred on gaining honour through the funeral games. Whereas Virgil includes Pietas in Aeneid book 5 this is different to honour as pietas is a roman value which is the respectful and faithful attachment to the Gods, nation and family, especially parents. Though funeral games are held in Aeneid book 5 which include numerous contests the main aspect of the book is to commemorate Anchises. Through these different ideas it can be seen that Virgil is not simply copying Homer, however the structure of both books can be seen to be very alike of each other.
The timelines of both books are very different as The Iliad was written in approximately 700BC and is probably one of the
Discuss
Homer and Virgil are both astounding writers of epic poetry. Homer with his Iliad and Virgil with his Aeneid. However when you look below the surface the Aeneid and the Iliad are startlingly similar, in particular that of Aeneid Book 5 and Iliad book 23 which both focus on the funeral games. However though there are structurally similar, ultimately the narratives of both books are very different, so in effect Virgil is not simply copying Homer. This is evident from the different views and values portrayed, the timelines of both books and the ideas depicted.
Aeneid book 5 and Iliad book23 make use of different views and values. Where Homer incorporates the honour code in his heroes, the heroes of Virgil show more pietas.
The heroes of Homer aim to achieve honour, that is the esteem received from one’s peers. Honour is so essential to a hero that life itself would be meaningless. A hero’s honour is determined firstly by his courage, physical abilities and to a lesser extent by his social standing and possessions. The highest honour can only be won in battle. Other heroic activities include hunting and athletics but can only gain an inferior honour; an even lesser honour was won by giving advice in council. Through Homer’s Heroic Code Iliad book 23 is more centred on gaining honour through the funeral games. Whereas Virgil includes Pietas in Aeneid book 5 this is different to honour as pietas is a roman value which is the respectful and faithful attachment to the Gods, nation and family, especially parents. Though funeral games are held in Aeneid book 5 which include numerous contests the main aspect of the book is to commemorate Anchises. Through these different ideas it can be seen that Virgil is not simply copying Homer, however the structure of both books can be seen to be very alike of each other.
The timelines of both books are very different as The Iliad was written in approximately 700BC and is probably one of the