Aneas Case

In Virgil's The Aeneid, Aeneas has always believed that responsibility is held at a higher priority than compassion. Virgil presents to very strong humanistic ways, duty and passion. Aeneas the hero and essential character is shown in a pessimistic nature at times in the Aeneid, because he is a man that reveals many devoted acts. Because of fate he is forced by the gods, to fulfill the destiny of Rome. As his journey unfolds perception of duty is somewhat changed and Aeneas is revealed as a compassionate, kind hearted soul.

Aeneas and his obligations, often force him to make complex decisions, sometimes at the expense of his contentment in order to fulfill his destiny as the founder of Rome. In Book 2 , the first instance of duty that triumphs over love, is that of Aeneas leaving his wife. It seems as though Aeneas doesn't even notice that he doesn't know where his wife Creusa is, because of his drive to flee the city. " I never saw her again, didn't even look back Or think of her behind me until we arrived at the mound by the Ceres' ancient temple, (p.49), he says, after the realization that she is now gone. His love for Creusa led him to go back and search for her, but once again duty had already prevailed, and she was a ghost. The next incident of Aeneas allowing love to conquer duty is the relationship between him and Dido, who just so happens to be the Queen of Carthage. In Book 4, Juno anticipated that her plan of playing "matchmaker" for Dido and Aeneas would alter their fates, causing Aeneas to stay, marry Dido, thus leaving Carthage unharmed due to change of plans. However Juno's plan failed miserably, because Aeneas withdrew any personal desire that he might have had when duty called, showing once again his compliance to the duty of founding Troy, was more important than some two second date with Dido. Aeneas does know that Dido does care for him but, he leaves anyways causing her to bear a great pain of loss. "Aeneas, loyal and true, yearns to comfort her, Soothe her grief, and say the words that will turn aside her sorrow. He sighs heavily, and although great love has shaken his soul, He obeys the gods' will and returns to the fleet (p.64).

Even though it may seem that Aeneas is incompetent of being a compassionate person and puts his duties before love. Aeneas does in fact have a soft spot in his heart, which is not all filled with war and conflict. Aeneas did in fact know what his duty was, but he never let the love of his fellow Trojans get in the way of that duty, showing his devotion to his fellow brothers and not just to himself. The fact that Aeneas didn't kill Turnus right away shows a great deal of humility, because he doesn't just stab him right away to a bloody soup, but in fact debates over the fact whether to let him live or not. "Aeneas stood there, lethal in his bronze. His eyes searched the distance, and his hand paused on the