Landfalls, Ports of Call

While the Aenied was ordered to be written for a singular purpose (to provide the roman empire with divine right through literature), it seems Virgil wrote with another intent.

On the surface, the Aenied is achieving its goal by seemingly giving the Romans a sense of purpose, a dignified and tragic history, especially in book 3. Here, the Trojans suffer greatly. Any roman would swell with pride knowing the obstacles overcome, the hardships faced, the suffering experienced. Also, this books makes the path for Italy very rigid. Every location the trojans land, rejects them. Thus, the idea of Italy being the one spot to rebuild is reenforced. For Romans inhabiting italy, this chapter is effective in proving why Italy must be the homeland, why it is their divine right to inhabit it.

However, on a deeper level, this Chapter begins a process of mocking divinity, purpose, fortune, and fate. While the hero, Aeneas seems to be battling bravely on, if one looks at the chapter deeply, what is happening? He is being tossed around like a worthless toy! No god fully protects the Trojans, every god in some way abandons them. After the loss of his father, Aeneas has simply gone mad with avengance. While often referred to proudly as 'stoic', its clear that Aeneas is led by nothing but emotions and prayers.

Jove, observing the plight of Aeneas and the Trojans.