Shield In The Odyssey

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During the rule of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus, a man by the name of Publius Vergilius Maro (known as Virgil in English) wrote one of the most widely read epic poems. The poem is named the Aeneid. Virgil begins and ends the Aeneid with parallels to the Iliad of Homer. This encourages the reader to consider Virgil's style of poetry in light of Homer's. Parallels can be seen in the shield descriptions of the two classic epic poems. Virgil Similar in certain aspects, the shield scenes are also distinctly different. The similarities (of the gods forging the shield and of the mothers) in the shield scene illustrates Virgil's attempt to imitate the Homeric style, while the distinct differences in the time period focused on shield demonstrate …show more content…

The shield is made to assist Achilles kill Hektor. Likewise, the shield is made to assist Aeneas kill Turnus. Indeed Venus says, "Here are the gifts I promised, so that you need not hesitate to challenge Arrogant Laurentines of Savage Turnus in the Aeneid.

One difference is Achilles’ sword is intricately designed by Hephaestus and is described as “great and massive” (558) with “a silver shield -strap run from edge to edge and five layers of metal” (561-562). Emblazoned on the shield are images of the universe, the sun, the moon, and the constellations, and also the images of two cities containing conflicting scenes. One city that is depicted shows a place that is at peace filled with weddings and festivals, but the second city is quite different. Its image is that of a city at war with “a divided army” (593) and scenes of battle.

Aeneas’ sword, like Achilles’, is also finely crafted, made by Vulcan and given to Aeneas by Venus. Unlike the contrasting scenes of war and peace that are displayed on Achilles’ shield, Aeneas’ shield shows the momentous events that will occur in the future glory that is Rome. The story of Remus and Romulus, the twins who built Rome, is told on Aeneas’ shield, as well as the glorious battles of Augustus Caesar. The themes displayed on Aeneas’ shield suggest that of a promising

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