The Aeneid and Confessions Comparison, Essay Example

The study of the Roman Empire offers a lot of information regarding the perceptive history regarding humanity during the ancient times. This essay focusses on the exploration of various texts that try to speak of a journey towards an endpoint in time. The reading entail fictional texts and other information that are autobiographical. One of the stories to be analyzed includes that of Aeneas’ founding of Rome, a story told by Vergil in the Aeneid. The others comprise of Augustine’s Confessions and the Gospel of Mark. All these stories try to express the discerning history of the Roman world. In this particular discussion, the paper will compare and contrast the respective journeys found in the initial two readings, that is, the story of the Aeneid and Augustine’s Confessions.

Thesis: In the narratives, the Aeneid and Confessions, the respective authors Vergil and Augustine’s both develop an expression philosophical virtues that try to explain how human beings relate to a supreme being, like God.

The story of Rome, as told by Vergil in the poem about Aeneid mainly, emphasizes on the character Aeneas. Aeneas was a hero known to the Greco-Roman legend and myth. The poem passage talks about Aeneas journey to Italy with his people, fleeing from their former home city of Troy. In the poem, Vergil speaks about the Trojan hero whose descendants were destined to find Rome. Aeneas was destined to lead the Trojan people to a new world in Italy, a happening even prophesized by the ancient Greek god Poseidon. This was the journey or divine intervention that was ordained for the hero, Aeneas (Virgil, p 164).

The story of Aeneid plainly explains about the hero’s journey in leading the Trojans to a new era. The responsibility bestowed upon him by the gods describe his preordained destiny. These duties are meant to remind the audience Aeneas’ fate as experienced through his lifetime. The recurrent theme of divine intervention from the gods can be seen throughout Aeneas’ journey. For example, in Book 4 section of Vergil’s writings, the text speak of inspiration ordivine intervention predicting the future. Juno’s (the queen of gods) plot stating, ‘The Trojan captain and Dido (will come)’ was a premonition showing of love between Aeneas and Dido. A love inspired by the gods (Virgil, p 89). The precious love that the two have is broken when Aeneas has to go to Italy and finish his quest as expected by the gods.

The ancient script outlined by Augustine’s Confession expresses the story about journey involving Augustine’s life story. The writings tell a story about a lifetime of sinful events followed by Augustine’s action to seek redemption. Augustine’s had engaged in immoral activities during his youthful stages and decided to document his theological work regarding his choice to convert to a life of Christianity. Augustine’s life journey is documented and structured to offer insights on how convert to a life Christianity. In his journey, Augustine narrates of how he struggles with the temptation of worldly desires, such as lust. The writings presented by Augustine tell us much about his experiences and beliefs conforming to a particular religion.

The texts from both author’s books depict two men who have a journey to an end, a journey filled with obstacles and questionable experiences. The philosophical or human virtues portrayed from the texts imply that there is a supreme being(s) that rule over men. They are referred to as gods in Greek mythology, and they have the control over or some influence on decisions made by human beings. The men and gods are meant to follow their density and fulfill their fate. Aeneas and Augustine both had a relationship with a supreme being, that is, a god or God.

The fate destined for the two main characters from the ancient writings share a similarity signifying a sense of religion. The religious beliefs set upon the ancient Romans were affiliated to gods who were responsible defining the fate of an individual. Aeneas and Augustine represent two characters that experience some form of hardship in their journey to achieve a particular objective. Their compliance to administrative commands creates a significant context for both readings as the texts highlight how divine intervention influences both characters. The human virtue portrayed here is that of dominance and obedience in the chain of command, where one has to follow the individual above their power.

One other similarity presented in the books is the virtue of conflict. The issue of conflict is a common fact of human existence mainly prejudiced by varied interests. The importance of the Greek gods for Aeneas is to go to Italy and finish what he started. He is expected and impelled by the gods when they compel him in a dream to go to Italy. The conflict here is that he still has to go and leave behind her wife, Dido, who he loves so much with all his heart. He had to obey the gods will and preordained destiny. In the writings that St. Augustine presents he talks about his doubts after leading an immoral and sinful life. He discusses St. Ambrose’s role in his conversion to Christianity (Augustine, p 135). He asks for forgiveness from a supreme being, God. These notions describe and explain his feeling or experience as an ordinaryhuman. The various roles that individuals like Nebridius and St. Ambrose’s played in his conversion elucidate how individuals with a higher administrative power have a big influence on those they control.

The different subjects presented from the texts is the variation in how the Supreme Being is symbolized from both stories. The book written by Virgil talk of how the gods had an influence or Aeneas’ destiny on his journey to Italy. The different obstacles he is challenged are exemplified by the gods Jupiter and Mercury who influence the choices he makes regarding his future by reminding him of what was the main purpose or road to follow (Virgil, p 146). In this case, the gods were portrayed as a representation of the human emotions and virtues. It explains the sense of, On the other hand, Augustine’s book is written as a prayer to God. The book symbolizes different aspects of the Trinity and Trinitarian belief that give guidelines on how one can successfully convert to Christianity (Augustine, p 224).

The similarities and differences described above tell about shifting cultural values in modern society with regards to religion and politics. The political change witnessed from fictional writings of Virgil try to explain the purpose that heroic humans have in giving rise to new ruling that comes with peace. Aeneas is described as a character that brings change to the Roman Empire. He brings a new era that institutes brave leaders implementing prosperity and peace among humans. Augustine’s writing describes a cultural policy for converting to the Christian religion (Augustine, p 127). He uses his lifetime activities as a focal point of comparison while writing his biography dedicated to God.

The cultural shifts or virtues presented in the mainly represents the doctrines set forth by gods and the scripture. The gods represent the image of a loyal man, Aeneas, who is destined and devoted to lead his people to a new country. The question of authority, as presented by Augustine, depicts a man who is mandated with the reading of scripture as a criterion for the Christian way of life and beliefs to seek constant forgiveness from God. These texts or books both had a strong influence on the development western and European culture, specifically in Latin education.

Conclusively, one would say that inspiration is the fundamental virtue that drives an individual’s or our will to work. The human self-motivation needed to act or perform the necessary obligations consistently can be attributed to the positive affirmations that revolve around personal qualities and boost confidence and promote ambition. This can be seenfrom the creativity highlighted in stories in the books. The consistent performance of the necessary obligations is imperative rather than sitting there in anticipation of success. Therefore, an individual’s choice to be ambitious and respectively hardworking are substantially determined by their past that portray their reasons for wanting change and betterment of their life.

Work Cited

Augustine, David V. Meconi, and Maria Boulding. The Confessions: With an Introduction and Contemporary Criticism. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012. Print.

Virgil. The Aeneid. , 2014. Internet resource.