Critical Analysis of the Aeneid

In The Aeneid, Virgil uses many prophecies. They begin in the first few lines and last throughout the poem. Many are directed toward Aeneas, but some are to his relatives and friends. The prophecies shown allow the reader to better understand the situation and also provide insight about Rome. Prophecies are an important key to The Aeneid.

Prophecies are very important to Virgil's The Aeneid. Early on, Virgil does not hide what will happen, but instead, he allows the reader insight through many prophecies. In the first few lines, Juno makes the statement "that generations born of Trojan blood would one day overthrow her Tyrian walls." (32). In predicting this, she allows us, the reader, to understand that all of the characters knows what is happening and it is just a matter of time before the Trojans will take over Carthage. The prophecy Virgil projects through Juno is not only a prophecy seen in the book, but Virgil also wants the reader to acknowledge that this prophecy is a representation of what will happen to Rome in the future.

Also in Book I, still very near the beginning, another prophecy is seen. During the storm (128), Aeneas is remembering all of the people he knew that died in the battle. He begins to pray for all of them and he asks why his life was not taken too. Aeneas wonders why all of the strong warriors died and his life was spared. Just as he is questioning this great mystery, another gust of wind takes many of the remaining ships under. Aeneas becomes even more confused because his ship is one of the only ones left on the sea. He is wondering why the gods are protecting him. Then Neptune, god of the sea, appears and questions Aeneas' thinking asking, "Are you so sure your line is privileged?" in line 181. Neptune warns Aeneas saying, "you'll pay a stricter penalty for your sins." (186). This statement made by Neptune provides much insight. Aeneas realizes that there is some reason that he is being protected, but he is still unclear about exactly why his life was spared. Aeneas is also being warned about the future. His first instinct as he realized he was being saved may have been that he is going to do great things in the future, but when Neptune continues with his warning, Aeneas realizes this is not the case. He sees that his future is destined and there is nothing he can do to change it. His fate is predetermined. His "privileged line" began with his father, will continue through his son, and eventually lead to Julius Caesar. Also, the "stricter penalty" could be that he may think his life is difficult, but if he does not do as he is told, all of his future relatives will pay the price. After all this has taken place, Neptune disappears, the storm calms, and the sunlight returns.

Later, Jupiter sends a prophecy to Venus. In line 310, still in book one, she appeared, crying and confessed all of her fears.