Female Roles In The Aeneid
The Significance of Female Roles in The Aeneid
Though there are female characters in The Aeneid who are commonly interpreted as having a negative impact on Aeneas’ journey, Juno and Dido contribute to Aeneas’ legend as a mythical hero. The female characters, Juno and Dido, are known for wreaking havoc in the epic, since they both express anger toward Aeneas. Because of their treacherous actions, Dido and Juno play significant roles in the epic as they impact Aeneas’ conquest to found the Roman Empire. Therefore, Juno’s and Dido’s actions help Aeneas learn from his past, and they both challenge him to become a legendary warrior, in order for him to achieve his final destiny. Juno consistently attacks Aeneas and the Trojans throughout the epic. Juno is considered to be evil by most critics because she strives to thwart Aeneas from achieving his goals (Rosenberg 259). In Chapter One, Virgil describes Juno as a cruel goddess with “Unrelenting hatred for all Trojans” (Virgil 260). Juno’s rage is prevalent …show more content…
Though Juno is interpreted as an antagonist who interferes with Aeneas’ destiny, Aeneas would not have had to fight for his destiny without her role in the epic. In order to be a legendary hero, Aeneas needed the challenges in battle which Juno provoked. Aeneas would not have become the strong and mighty warrior he is in the future without the turmoil she caused him and his men. In the end, Juno asks Jupiter for the “Latins to keep their ancient name and language” (Virgil 286). Juno’s request leads to the preservation of Aeneas’ legend in the original language. In conclusion, Juno and Dido emphasize the significance of the few female roles in the epic. These female roles complicate the plot. Both female characters inadvertently help Aeneas become a strong warrior and mature on his conquest to achieve his
Though there are female characters in The Aeneid who are commonly interpreted as having a negative impact on Aeneas’ journey, Juno and Dido contribute to Aeneas’ legend as a mythical hero. The female characters, Juno and Dido, are known for wreaking havoc in the epic, since they both express anger toward Aeneas. Because of their treacherous actions, Dido and Juno play significant roles in the epic as they impact Aeneas’ conquest to found the Roman Empire. Therefore, Juno’s and Dido’s actions help Aeneas learn from his past, and they both challenge him to become a legendary warrior, in order for him to achieve his final destiny. Juno consistently attacks Aeneas and the Trojans throughout the epic. Juno is considered to be evil by most critics because she strives to thwart Aeneas from achieving his goals (Rosenberg 259). In Chapter One, Virgil describes Juno as a cruel goddess with “Unrelenting hatred for all Trojans” (Virgil 260). Juno’s rage is prevalent …show more content…
Though Juno is interpreted as an antagonist who interferes with Aeneas’ destiny, Aeneas would not have had to fight for his destiny without her role in the epic. In order to be a legendary hero, Aeneas needed the challenges in battle which Juno provoked. Aeneas would not have become the strong and mighty warrior he is in the future without the turmoil she caused him and his men. In the end, Juno asks Jupiter for the “Latins to keep their ancient name and language” (Virgil 286). Juno’s request leads to the preservation of Aeneas’ legend in the original language. In conclusion, Juno and Dido emphasize the significance of the few female roles in the epic. These female roles complicate the plot. Both female characters inadvertently help Aeneas become a strong warrior and mature on his conquest to achieve his