Fate and Destiny in the Aeneid and the Odyssey

From the dawning of modern homophile estimation, humans create betokenioned the nature of life and its passing. whiz of the or so fundamental questions to arise from this train of thought is the cerebrations of mountain and affair. We humans want to know whether the travel guidebook of our lives is preordained and unalterable or if it is just a serial publication of consequences from our past actions. If we live by fate and weigh our path is already set in stone, because is it our obligation to fulfill that destiny to the best of our abilities or can we resist and hope to forge our take in story?It is quite obvious in the epics of both Aeneus and Odysseus that the idea of fate and duty plays a Brobdingnagian role. The difference we see between the both is which is more(prenominal) important and how each epic allows these two ideas to unfold. In Virgils Aeneid, Aeneus is goaded by the fortune telling that he leave behind leave a legacy that leave behind go on to fou nd the greatest and most powerful imperium the world provide ever know. Aeneuss journey is filled with trials and tribulations near atomic number 18 purposefully placed in front of him with the purport of undoing his fate while others are plain happenstance.What drives Aeneus to press on is his sense of duty. One of Aeneuss most significant obstacles is the princess of Carthage, Dido. The patron goddess of Carthage is Juno and she knows that Aeneuss prophecy tells of his kingdom destroying Carthage in the future. So Juno sends Cupid to make Dido move madly in love with Aeneus so that he forget do the same and consequently will settle in Carthage never founding the foretold empire that will destroy Junos city.Once larn of this plan, Jupiter dispatches Mercury to remind Aeneus of his destiny. And are you at a time worry this laying the foundations of stately Carthage, and building, like a fond husband, your wifes sound city, forgetting alas your own kingdom and the cares t hat should be yours? (Virgil, hold up 4, line 279-282) Aeneus is awe-struck, just now he immediately goes to restore his fleet and sail for Italys shores. To Aeneus, his sense of duty is so great that he, without question, leaves his wife Dido and the safety of Carthage. Aeneus does not leave Carthage without regard for Dido though.Aeneus attempts to leave before anyone will know they are gone, but he is caught and explains to Dido, My quest to Italy is not of my own motion. (Virgil, hold in 4, line 391-392) With this Aeneus leaves Carthage driven by duty and obligation. In Homers Odyssey, the idea of fate is more significant than the idea and sense of duty. Odysseuss journey begins when Poseidon learns that Odysseus blinded his water flea son, Polyphemous while trying to escape from his capture. This enrages the already ill-natured sea god, damning Odysseus, his men, and his voyage.Poseidon attempts to delay and keep Odysseus from his home, Ithaca. His choler towards Odyss eus is so great that Zeus has to step in to save him from the sea-god. Zeus, after Poseidon complains to him about the Phaenecians aiding Odysseus, states Since for Odysseus now I vowed that he his home should win through some(prenominal) a misery yet utterly mourning(a) not his return for such your purpose was and decree. (Homer, Book 13, st. 45) Zeus, in the Odyssey, acts as the hand of fate by preventing Poseidon from further stalling Odysseuss return home.This is contrasted Jupiter in the Aeneid, who dispatches Mercury to remind Aeneus of his purpose. Aeneas is then left hand with the duty of leaving Carthage and Dido behind, whereas Odysseus is more subject to each gods will. The idea of an inevitable and unchangeable fate is in both the Aeneid and Odyssey, what drives each character is the difference. Aeneus is driven by his sense of duty to start the lineage that will go onto to found Rome, whereas Odysseus is driven by his desire to return to Ithaca. This resembles the cultural and philosophical natures of the Greeks and Romans.The Greeks placed much emphasis on the individual, life, and pleasure which would naturally observe a sensation who struggles tremendously to return safely home. The Romans placed large amounts of emphasis on Rome, what it stood for and their duty, undoubtedly Aeneuss epic was bred from this culture. Although the cultural differences are manifest, these two full treatment both share an inevitable fate which drives the journey. Also, the gods interference in the heros journey for either personal bring or to assure the fulfillment of their fate is evident in both works.Fate and duty have been human concepts for thousands of years they both entail some form of obligation and are main themes in the Aeneid and the Odyssey. Aeneuss obligation to his duty compels him to realize his fate. Odysseus, on the other hand simply desires to return home, but is subjected to the will of the gods which only stall his fate. Both works resemble their respective cultures beliefs and ideals, but regardless of the differences, these two works are simple epics.