A Comparison of Aneas of Aeneid and Turnus of Iliad

1178 Words3 Pages

A Comparison of Aneas of Aeneid and Turnus of Iliad

The subtlety in the differences between Aneas and Turnus, reflect

the subtlety in the differences between the Aeneid and the Iliad. Although

both characters are devout and noble, Aneas does not possess the ardent

passion of Turnus. Unlike Turnus, Aneas is able to place his beliefs in

the fated establishment of Latium before his personal interests. Although

Turnus is not a bad person, the gods favor Aneas in their schemes. The

roles of Aneas and Turnus are reversed as the Aeneid progresses. The

erasure of Aneas' free will accounts for his triumph and success.

Time and time again, Aneas' courage, loyalty, and will are tested

in the Aeneid. Through seemingly endless journeys by sea, through love left

to wither, and through war and death, Aneas exhibits his anchored

principals and his unwavering character.

"Of arms I sing and the hero, destiny's exile...

Who in the grip of immortal powers was pounded

By land and sea to sate the implacable hatred

of Juno; who suffered bitterly in his battles

As he strove for the site of his city, and safe harboring

For his Gods in Latium" (Virgil 7).

As a slave to the gods and their plans, Aneas assimilates his mind and

sacrifices his life to the establishment of Latium. As the greatest of all

warriors, Aneas displays his superb strength and his leadership

capabilities, by guiding the Trojans to victory over the latins and

establishing Latium. The selflessness of Aneas and his devotion to the

Gods, enables him to leap over and break through any obstacles that

obstruct his destiny. Patterned after Homer's Hector, Virgil's Turnus is

also a courageous and devout hero. As the most handsome of Rutilians,

Turnus' nobility reflects his physical appearance; he is a god-fearing,

libation-bearing soldier. Turnus was greatly admired and respected by his

subjects: "by far the fairest (of Italian men) / Was Turnus, favored both

in his noble forbears / And by the queen who advanced his claims with

eager devotion" (Virgil 147).

Unlike Turnus, Aneas is able to place his beliefs in Rome before

his own interests; that is the defining characteristic of Aneas' heroism.

Leaving Dido, the beautiful and passionate Carthaginian Queen, was

More about A Comparison of Aneas of Aeneid and Turnus of Iliad

Open Document