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Aeneas as a Hero and Leader Essay

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“Immediately Aeneas’ limbs grow weak with cold: he groans, and stretching both hands to the stars cries out in with these words: “O three and four times blessed, you who were permitted to die before the faces of your fathers, beneath the lofty walls of Troy! O Diomedes, bravest of the race of Greeks! Why could I not have perished on the Trojan plain, and have poured out my life at your right hand, where fierce Hector lies by the spear of Achilles, where great Sarpedon, where the river Simois rolls and carries beneath its waves the helmets and shields and brave bodies of men.” This is Aeneas’ first appearance in the Aeneid, rather pathetic for the main character to be whining at the start . Aeneas and his crew are caught in a storm…show more content…
In Book II, Aeneas attempts to demonstrate the appropriate (pietas). Devotion to one’s family, country, and mission for his father, and again for his son. When Anchises refuses to vacate his house, nobly choosing instead to commit suicide, Aeneas breaks down in tears and cries out that he could never leave his father. Aeneas is unwilling to abandon him, knowing that Greek warriors could break into the house at any moment and slaughter the man who gave him life. His deep respect for Anchises is best demonstrated by his physically carrying him through Troy’s streets to the rendezvous point. It seems odd to me though, why wouldn't he care about his wife at all when they are fleeing the city? One would assume the hero of the story would be particularly interested in the woman who was his wife and mother of his only child. When the Greeks raze the city of Troy, Aeneas escorts his father, Achises and his son, Ascanius, as well as other citizens of Troy to find another foothold for settling. During the journey to Italy, Aeneas shows his ability of leadership and decisiveness. They sail around for seven years after they set off from Troy. On multiple occasions Aeneas is told where he needs to go, however he seems to ignore all the pointers he gets from everyone. Once Aeneas lands ashore in Carthage. He goes exploring with
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