Thesis (MPhil (Ancient Studies)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Chapter 1 begins by giving the 21st century reader of the Aeneid insights
into the innovative socio-cultural environment of the Augustan Age.
Following this is an investigation into the societal and cultural
importance placed on the Four Cardinal Values in Augustan Age
society.
Virgil’s attitude to war has been a perennial topic of debate amongst
Virgilian scholars. The focus of chapter 1 becomes more specific as it
examines Virgil’s personal history, the socio-cultural environment of his
childhood and the influence this may have had on his adult opinion of
war and the way it is expressed in the Aeneid. An aspect of Virgil’s
personal history that is fundamental to understanding his social context,
is his relationship with Emperor Augustus. To conclude chapter 1, this
is investigated with specific reference to two episodes in the Aeneid. In chapter 2, attention is given to particular aspects of Virgil’s portrayal
of Aeneas’ heroic nature. The chapter opens with an examination of
Virgil’s representation of Aeneas’ imperfect heroism, then suggests
possible reasons behind the inclusion of ambiguity in this
characterization. In addition to this, the question of Homeric
characteristics in Virgil’s Roman hero is investigated. Chapter 2 then
examines the more positive aspects of Virgil’s depiction of Aeneas’
heroism, concluding with a discussion on the favourable interpretation
by Augustan Age Romans of Virgil’s demonstration of Aeneas’ heroic nature. Chapter 3 is devoted to a discussion of the manner in which Virgil’s
environment influenced his presentation of Aeneas’ personal
interactions. Prior to addressing the actual relationships, the chapter
explores the question of Virgil’s characterization of Aeneas as somewhat
uncommunicative in the epic. This chapter then concentrates on two
main facets of Virgil’s portrayal of Aeneas’ personal relationships, i.e.
those with family members and those with relevant non-family members
that illustrate the extent to which Virgil’s social context influenced his
composition of this poem.
In conclusion, this study summarises the importance of viewing the
Aeneid in its correct context. A bibliography is appended.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1855 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Flint, Angela |
| Contributors | Kotze, Annemare, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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