BOOK VI

PlotCharactersThemesSymbols and other language features

LEARNING INTENTION

In order to gain a greater understanding of the Aeneid we need to look at the plot, characters, themes and symbols within Book VI as this will externally assessed.

QUIZ

Where exactly is Cumae? How does its location show that at least parts of Aeneas’ destiny has come true?

What was the Sibyl’s function? In order to speak with the spirit of his

father (Anchises), where does Aeneas have to go?

What is Charon’s function

PLOT: PUT INFORMATION (USING YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE, THE AENEID AND THE FINDLAY TEXT [P28-30]) IN THE APPROPRIATE AREAS. FIND A QUOTE FOR EACH SECTION.

DIANA, SIBYL AND THE GOLDEN BOUGH

The Sibyl calls them to sacrifice. Aeneas prays to Apollo, the god of prophecy, to continue to help the Trojans. Aeneas promises to build a temple once his city is founded.

The Sibyl becomes angry because at this point she has not been overcome with the spirit of Apollo, so she begins to tell a horrible prophecy.

JOURNEY THROUGH THE UNDERWORLD

Aeneas and the Sibyl enter the underworld. Charon takes them across the river Styx.

They float past three-headed Cerberus and the Sibyl passes him a honeyed wheat cake (to appease him) .

AENEAS AND DIDO MEET

They pass into the realm of suicides and those who died because of destructive love. Aeneas sees Dido and reiterates that he did not want to leave.

This scene ends the story of Dido and Aeneas.

TARTARUS

They move on into the Elysian fields. Anchises pulls Aeneas and the Sibyl

towards him and prophesises later Roman history. There is Aeneas' last born son and then Romulus. After them, Julius and Augustus Caesar will bring about another golden age.

RETURN THROUGH THE GATES

"There are two gates of Sleep: the one is saidto be of horn, through it an easy exitis given to true Shades; the other is madeof polished ivory, perfect, glittering,but through that way the Spirits send false dreams into the world above. And here Anchises, when he is done with words, accompanies the Sibyl and his son together; and he sends them through the gate of ivory.“

Aeneas rejoins his companions.

ACTIVITY

Read p28-30 of the Findlay text and complete task 1 on p30.

Answer these questions: Who ordered Aeneas to offer an immediate

sacrifice and on what authority did she do so?

What was the point of Aeneas’ request about not committing prophecies to “leaves”? (See Bk III p88)

What are the eight main points of the Sibyl’s prophecy?

CHARACTERSActivity: read p48 of the Findlay text (section on Bk VI). Then along with your own knowledge copy and complete the template.

Name: ________

Book I __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Book II __________________________________________________________________________________________Book IV____________________________________________________________________________________________Book VI ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Displays pietas, heroism, humanfeelings, obeys his father, fully accepts his mission

FILL IN THE BLANKS

The ____ is the prophetess of ____. Initially she prophesises a _____ future for Aeneas and his followers but eventually she is won over by Aeneas. She tells him about the _____ _____ and guides him through the __________.

Aeneas meets ____ in the realm of suicides. This meeting effectively ends her story. She flees to her husband, _______ in the shadows.

______ tells Aeneas about the judgement of souls and about Rome’s future.

Sibyl Apollo

Horrible

Golden

Bough

underworld

Dido

Sychaeus

Anchises

QUESTIONS ON CHARACTERS

Who is the Achates mentioned on p152? What is his predominant characteristic?

What has been Misenus’ most notable characteristic? In challenging the gods Misenus has committed the

unforgivable sin. What was it? While preparing for Misenus’ funeral Venus intervenes

with Aeneas’ life. What does she do and why does she do it?

Which friend, recently lost, greets Aeneas in the underworld?

What important figure does Aeneas meet in the Fields of Mourning?

QUESTIONS CONT.

Aeneas’ prayer is addressed to three personages or groups of personages. Who are they and what specific request does Aeneas make of each?

What are the eight main points of the Sibyl’s prophecy? How did Apollo’s prophetess convince Charon that he

should admit Aeneas to Erebos on p159? Just within the entrance to Hades are four types of

people considered innocent of evil deeds. List these four types.

“For there is Caesar” (p171 line 6). Explain why Virgil has Ascanius’ name changed to Iulus.

THEME: LIFE AND DEATH

Epicureanism (type of philosophy) Death should not be feared. E.g. Aeneas goes through the underworld

not fearing death.

THEME: PATRIOTISM/ THE MISSION OF ROME

Anchises’ prophecy Two highpoints – the prophecy of

Augustus (legacy and ends in the death of his heir, Marcellus) and the statement of Rome’s mission (to civilise the world).

Write down the five main points of Anchises’ prophecy,

AUGUSTUS THE “SECOND FOUNDER” OF ROME

“Caesar Augustus, a god’s son, who shall the golden age rebuild through Latian fields once ruled by Saturn, and push far his sway o’er Garamantians and the tribes of Ind….”

Read the handout Augustus the ‘second Aeneas’ and then answer the following

Questions:What is meant by the passage above?

VIRGIL’S UNDERWORLD

Elysium – dwelling place of privileged few. Homer first mentions it in the Odyssey.

Virgil has taken ideas from Homer’s Odyssey and changed them to fit his narrative. Aeneas meets Palinurus (Homer’s Elpenor) Unforgiving Dido (“” Ajax)

VIRGIL’S UNDERWORLD CONT.

Symbolic of Aeneas’ growth – turning his back his past and looking towards the future.

IMPORTANT SYMBOLS

The Golden Bough – symbol of light in darkness and life in death. Descent of a living person to the world of the dead.

The Gate of Ivory – difficult symbol to interpret. Aeneas and the Sibyl are false dreams rather than actual figures?

Labyrinth of Daedalus symbolises the journey to the underworld.

LANGUAGE FEATURES

Find the following in the Aeneid, identify the language feature and explain its effect.

The Sibyl’s prophecy Invocation of the gods of the

underworld Monsters at the entrance of the

underworld Styx River Burial of Misenus