Comparison of Homers and Virgils epics - Essay Example

 Comparison of Homer’s and Virgil’s epics Homer and Virgil are the two great classic poets who won the universal acclaim through their famous epics. Iliad and Odyssey are the offspring of the creative mind of Greek poet Homer while Aeneid is the magnum opus of Roman bard, Virgil. Both sang the glory of their nations through the eulogies of their national heroes. Epic is a long narrative poem which is based on some theme of universal appeal. It usually depicts the exploits of heroes or great men that’s why it is sometimes named as heroic poem. The poems are generally based on the theme of war between two nations for the achievement of glory. Epics are prominent due to the excellence of their styles. They use the diction of the highest level and employ different stylistic device like rhetoric, epic similes, and allusions to embellish their story. The literature of classic Greeks and Romans presents these poems as the finest example of their creative genius. In the following lines we will trace some similarities and dissimilarities between Homer’s epics with those of Virgil. Divine Parentage of the heroes Heroes of the epics are unique personalities. They possess the passions of humans but also have dignity of gods. They are mortal beings but their mortality is not common. Their power and bravery are proverbial as is the case with Achilles and Aeneas. In order to put them above common human beings the poets present them as the product of man-god relationship. Achilles is the result this parentage and is equipped many qualities of gods. Aeneas also is the child of Apollo. Their parentage makes god their supporters during their exploits. Structure of the poems Aeneid is a Roman epic by Virgil and most of the poem follows the structural and thematic pattern of ancient epics of Homer___ Iliad and Odyssey. Like Homeric epic it is structured into books. First portion of Aeneid follows the structure of Odyssey and like Ulysses the hero goes on an adventurous journey in search of his home. The second part of the Virgil’s epic is modeled on Iliad which depicts the exploits of the Greek heroes in Trojan War. Virgil’s hero has actually been taken from Homeric epic Illiad. In some instances the work seems to be an extension of Iliad and Odyssey. Differences between the epics of the two masters O Neill (1984) observes that “ Virgil imitates many scenes from the Iliad and Odyssey in his epic, but he always changes them in significant ways so that they illustrate his own Roman themes”(25). So we can say that Virgil has Romanized his epic and has given it a different touch by giving his poem a “patriotic” colour which is different from the individualistic epics of Greek poet. Homer gives importance to “ heroes not countries” (25). On the other hand Virgil’s focus is his motherland and his hero fights for his country not for personal glory. Stylistic similarities and differences Virgil not only follows thematic and structural pattern of Iliad and Odyssey but he also imitates the stylistic pattern of Homer. “ Like Homer, Virgil wrote his poem in dactylic hexameter”(26). But we can say that Virgil did not do slavish imitation. Homer’s epics belong to the oral tradition of poetry and hence they possess a singing rhythm which was also preserved by Virgil but because of his written epic he has the opportunity to fashion his epic according to literary tastes. “ Virigil’s epic is “ full of beautiful images, subtle allusion, and symbolism that give it a rich, dense texture” (27). This differentiates the poem from stylistic point of view from the epics of Virgil’s predecessors. Epic Similes Imagery is the strength of poetic expression. Through devices like simile and metaphor, the poets extend the meaning of their words. Homer’s unique contribution to the epic style is the use of long and sustained similes through which he compares different objects with other objects by using a long account of the things used for comparison. The poetic allusions were mostly used by Homer to extend the meaning of the objects. The following lines from the Iliad show how the writer compares humans with leaves by using a long passage: As is the generation of leave, so that also of men Some leaves the wind pours out on the ground, but others the wood Flourishing produces, and the season of spring returns: So the generation of men, one grows, the other dies. (Il. 6, 146-49). Virgil was no less expert on this technique than Homer. In his epic while describing the engagement of Trojan Aeneas with Son Daunus he uses an epic simile: When two bulls lower heads and horns and charge In deadly combat . . . . . . [They g]ore one another, bathing necks and humps In sheets of blood, and the whole woodland bellows. Just so Trojan Aeneas and the hero Son of Daunus, battering shield on shield, Fought with a din that filled the air of heaven.(XII. 972-982) Epic Speeches One of the important features of epic diction is the use of rhetoric. The poets use long emotional speeches through their characters which throw light on the inner grandeur of the epic heroes. Through these speeches, the war heroes distinguish themselves from other characters and show the strength of their character. Iliad used these masterly speeches when Trojan hero is confronted with Achilles or Priam utters his pathos at the death of his brave son Hector. The pathetic speech brings about the love and the admiration of a father for his warrior son. Virgil uses these long speeches in a similar vain. Through these speeches he not only brings forth the inner greatness of his hero, but also shows his rhetorical skills through the use of sublime expression. In the following lines Aeneas pathetically utters nostalgic feelings: O, three and four times blessed Were those who dies before their fathers’ eyes Beneath the walls of Troy. Strongest of all The Danaans, O Diomedes, why Did your right hand not spill my lifeblood, why Did I not fall upon the Illian fields, There where ferocious Hector lies, pierced by Sarpedon now is still, and Simois has seized and sweeps beneath its waves so many helmets and bodies of the brave (1. 133-143) Execution of War theme in epics Homer’s Iliad is based on the theme of war. Similarly, Virgil’s half of the epic depicts the engagement of his Trojan hero in war at Roman lands. The primary concern of classical epics was to depict the War situation of their nation and the exploits of their heroes during wartime. The nations felt pride at the victories won through their heroes and epic were considered the symbol of national aspirations. Hence the epics mostly revolved round the war theme. All the wars were fought due to some national pride or honour. The heroes of Iliad and Aeneid do not hesitate to lay down their lives for the sake of their nation. The only difference between Achilles and Aeneid was that of the grandeur of purpose. Achilles became the part of the expedition for Troy out of his personal vanity and for the immoratlity of his name. On the other hand, Virgil’s hero is fighting this war for the sake of his nation. War themes of the epic depict different war situtaiton in which the heroes fight with each other and are murdered at the hands of the superior. Hector is killed by Achilles and Achilles is later killed by the Trojans. Conclusion The great instances of poetic excellence like Iliad and Aeneid have become immortal due to the poetic genius of their creators. Both the giants left no song unsung in their master-pieces. Comparison of the poems shows many similar features like depiction of war theme, stylistic pattern, use of similes and long speeches. But the authors do have dissimilarities as well. Homeric epic eulogized a hero while Virgil eulogizes a nation. Homeric epic was the paragon of oral tradition while Virgil’s epic is the paragon of written tradition of epics. Works Cited O'Neill, Kathleen. Virgil's The Aeneid. Woodbury, NY: Barron's, 1984. Print. "The Internet Classics Archive | The Aeneid by Virgil." The Internet Classics Archive | The Aeneid by Virgil. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. "The Internet Classics Archive | The Iliad by Homer." The Internet Classics Archive | The Iliad by Homer. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. Read More