Odysseus and Aeneas

It appears that Aeneas is a figure that represents a culture while Odysseus represents his own character. Odysseus goes to the underworld to ask Tiresias the way home and receives prophecies about his own life. Aeneas, on the other hand, receives prophecies not only for his own future, but for the futures of all Roman heroes that are still to come.

Experiencing this underworld section makes me wonder if Aeneas is actually in search of spiritual growth, after all, according to Virgil, Pius living will result in rewards in the afterlife. We discussed in class that Odysseus is not a character that necessarily changes and experiences growth throughout his journey. Aeneas, however, being a character created in a "religious" world, appears to be in search of a better self. He always seems to fulfill his responsibilities to his family,country, etc. as does Odysseus. Aeneas, unlike Odysseus appears to do this without being selfish. Aeneas is in constant battle to put others ahead of himself. Odysseus wants to get home, but he definitely has a selfish side. He puts himself before his men and does whatever he has to do, despite its ethical substance, to reach his goal. This idea returns us back to my initial statement. Odysseus and Aeneas went to the underworld for two different reasons. Odysseus traveled to the underworld in search for HIS way home. His trip was one of self preservation. Aeneas, on the other hand, comes to the underworld to see a future he will build.

The two depictions to the underworld appear quite different according to Homer and Virgil. For Homer death brings the same ending to all. Despite how one lives on earth everyone is doomed to exist in the underworld. For Homer, his heroes live hard and die in search of glory. This idea of living life in the fast lane puts forth the perspective that one should live life to the absolute fullest while on earth because the result after death is not a happy one. Virgil, on the other hand, demonstrates that one who lives a good life is destined to enter a glorious afterlife while those who are wicked will be in eternal torment.