Hannah Clargo
What is the relationship between Jupiter and ‘fate’ in the Aeneid?
Definition of fate
- ‘The ultimate agency that predetermines the course of events’ (Collins
Dictionary), ‘agency’ is highly ambiguous, thus could be seen as a
higher power such as Jupiter or something entirely different
- Stoicism (founded by Zeno of Citium around 300BC) views it as an
immoveable and overpowering force, and attempting to change the
outcome of anything is futile – strong beliefs that we should be able to
differentiate what is in our control and what isn’t
Aeneas’ fate
- Aeneid as appropriating Stoicism and its ideas of fate – adoption of the
Stoic phrase of ‘following fate/god’ (draws a parallel between the two
concepts, implies Jupiter could have a parallel drawn with fate also)
which is also shown in Cleanthes (SVF 1.527), Seneca (De Prov. 5.4, De
Vita Beata 15.5), Epictetus (Disc. 1.12.5) – Chrysippus’ parallel
between man’s bondage to fate needing to follow (whether willing or
not) and a dog tied to a cart (Stoicorum veterum fragmenta 2.975) –
used several times in Aeneid (1.382, data fata secutus – following the
fate which had been given to me; 5.709, quo fata trahunt retahuntque,
sequamur, let us follow the fates whether they lead us on, or lead us
back – shows Aeneas’ acceptance of fate without mention of Jupiter,
proves he knows his inability to overcome this, etc.) – could be seen as
following the gods/metaphorically having a sense of piety? (Edwards,
The Expression of Stoic Ideas in the Aeneid, pg151) – proves
relationship between man and fate, humans have no control over
themselves and are forced to follow what is determined – ‘Aeneas is
the man the Fates demand’ (Aen. 7.274)
- Bowra argues that Aeneas develops into a Stoic ideal, initially fails in all
aspects of Stoic virtue e.g. wisdom, moderation, courage – modern
views of him as ‘a prig and a bore’ (Bowra, Aeneas and the Stoic Ideal,
p8) whereas ‘Orthodox Romans believed in Aeneas as an ideal man’
(Bowra, Aeneas and the Stoic Ideal, p9) though there is criticism
beginning with Aeneomastix by Carvilius Pictor (though the contents
don’t remain) – this doesn’t seem accurate, he isn’t interesting but that
doesn’t mean he can’t be the ideal (see carrying his father from Troy,
courage in leaving Dido despite his love for her etc.) – ‘the exemplar of
manly virtue is a coward, a muddler, and a seducer, who tries to justify
his behaviour by attributing it to divine ordinance’ (Bowra, Aeneas and
the Stoic Ideal, p9), this implies he does have self-control and uses
others’ belief in fate to his own advantage, covering his mistakes/evil
deeds with this as an excuse? – discuss Dido’s love, surely this cannot
be seen as his choice since she was struck by the gods who are acting
against fate (‘moved by the boy (cupid) as much as the gifts, the fire
within her grew’ (Aen. 1.714)– she is also more than once referred to as
‘doomed Dido’ (Aen. 1.748), removes any compliance Aeneas may
have had, delaying his marriage with Lavinia despite this being his
destiny, relationship with Dido seems unnecessary in the grand
1
What is the relationship between Jupiter and ‘fate’ in the Aeneid?
Definition of fate
- ‘The ultimate agency that predetermines the course of events’ (Collins
Dictionary), ‘agency’ is highly ambiguous, thus could be seen as a
higher power such as Jupiter or something entirely different
- Stoicism (founded by Zeno of Citium around 300BC) views it as an
immoveable and overpowering force, and attempting to change the
outcome of anything is futile – strong beliefs that we should be able to
differentiate what is in our control and what isn’t
Aeneas’ fate
- Aeneid as appropriating Stoicism and its ideas of fate – adoption of the
Stoic phrase of ‘following fate/god’ (draws a parallel between the two
concepts, implies Jupiter could have a parallel drawn with fate also)
which is also shown in Cleanthes (SVF 1.527), Seneca (De Prov. 5.4, De
Vita Beata 15.5), Epictetus (Disc. 1.12.5) – Chrysippus’ parallel
between man’s bondage to fate needing to follow (whether willing or
not) and a dog tied to a cart (Stoicorum veterum fragmenta 2.975) –
used several times in Aeneid (1.382, data fata secutus – following the
fate which had been given to me; 5.709, quo fata trahunt retahuntque,
sequamur, let us follow the fates whether they lead us on, or lead us
back – shows Aeneas’ acceptance of fate without mention of Jupiter,
proves he knows his inability to overcome this, etc.) – could be seen as
following the gods/metaphorically having a sense of piety? (Edwards,
The Expression of Stoic Ideas in the Aeneid, pg151) – proves
relationship between man and fate, humans have no control over
themselves and are forced to follow what is determined – ‘Aeneas is
the man the Fates demand’ (Aen. 7.274)
- Bowra argues that Aeneas develops into a Stoic ideal, initially fails in all
aspects of Stoic virtue e.g. wisdom, moderation, courage – modern
views of him as ‘a prig and a bore’ (Bowra, Aeneas and the Stoic Ideal,
p8) whereas ‘Orthodox Romans believed in Aeneas as an ideal man’
(Bowra, Aeneas and the Stoic Ideal, p9) though there is criticism
beginning with Aeneomastix by Carvilius Pictor (though the contents
don’t remain) – this doesn’t seem accurate, he isn’t interesting but that
doesn’t mean he can’t be the ideal (see carrying his father from Troy,
courage in leaving Dido despite his love for her etc.) – ‘the exemplar of
manly virtue is a coward, a muddler, and a seducer, who tries to justify
his behaviour by attributing it to divine ordinance’ (Bowra, Aeneas and
the Stoic Ideal, p9), this implies he does have self-control and uses
others’ belief in fate to his own advantage, covering his mistakes/evil
deeds with this as an excuse? – discuss Dido’s love, surely this cannot
be seen as his choice since she was struck by the gods who are acting
against fate (‘moved by the boy (cupid) as much as the gifts, the fire
within her grew’ (Aen. 1.714)– she is also more than once referred to as
‘doomed Dido’ (Aen. 1.748), removes any compliance Aeneas may
have had, delaying his marriage with Lavinia despite this being his
destiny, relationship with Dido seems unnecessary in the grand
1
