Commentary on Aeneid Essay

I believe by reading Virgils, Aeneid, it will help me a great deal in writing my research paper. In both of the epic stories Aeneid by Virgil, and the Odyssey by Homer the gods and goddesses are featured manipulating or otherwise getting involved in the lives of mankind. The topic for my research paper, how the gods and/or goddesses help Odysseus on his journey back to his homeland, and how this affects Odysseus, has some relation in Virgils Aeneid that may help me in writing my research paper. I only read the Aeneid once, so I would have to read it at least one or two more times in detail to see if it would give me anything to write about in my research paper. Although, by reading the Aeneid I was able to see some of the similarities and differences between it and the Odyssey that have given me a better grasp on the details that pertain to the topic of my research paper.

While I was reading the Aeneid and working on the discussion board 09 assignment I noticed that even in the present day the brave men and women of our countrys military are faced with some of the same hard choices that Aeneas had to make when it came to his lover. The soldiers of our country today also have to face the results of going off to a foreign country to fight in a war to make our country safe while leaving their lovers behind. Aeneas sacrificed his love for Queen Dido to pursue his destiny and fulfill the request of the gods and goddesses. Like with Aeneas, many of the brave men and women who serve in our countries military usually have to part with their lovers and/or loved ones when they are called to duty. Whether its a man or woman soldier they both have to make some of the same sacrifices as Aeneas had to make in regards to his lover. It is not only hard for the lover that he or she leaves behind, but also the soldier. Both the soldier and their lover suffer as much as the other.

The gods and goddesses in the Aeneid didnt hold any regard for the feelings or wishes of the humans they manipulated, but selfishly manipulated humans on whatever whim may strike them just to get some kind of amusement and to satisfy their fleeting whims. Some of the gods and goddesses liked to help the humans that they interfered with. While others liked to destroy and go against whatever dreams or happiness of the humans lives that they tended to interfere in.