Great Works of Literature, Fall 2016 (hybrid)

Dante

Consider the relationship between Dante and Virgil.

Both Virgil and Dante have a relationship in hell because of Dante exploration of the nature of sin. Dante explores through hell and Virgil is his support. Virgil is guidance for Dante in a way as he shows Dante the results of actions that can cause if his interests change. As Dante deals with conflicts as he loses his path. Virgil protects Dante even though he gets impatient with him. They share a strong relationship due to Virgil symbolizing guidance and Dante a representation of the human race.

What is the role of prophecies and/or fate in The Aeneid?

What is the role of prophecies and/or fate in The Aeneid?

Aeneas role displays leadership characteristics. While he struggles through his journey. Aeneas conserves his sanity of his own life and his men. He prays to the Gods about his difficulties, even though it’s a goddess being responsible for those hardships. Juno puts obstacles in Aeneas journey. In some way his fate is going to lead him where he belongs as it seems like he follows it by forced, but he is willing to reach his accomplishments not knowing how but aiming for it. This leads to how people want to change their fate by wanting different things and do whatever it takes to accomplish it. Sometimes this does not satisfy one needs because that was probably not their fate.

Discuss Homer’s focus on the father-son relationship.

Answer: In “The Odyssey” the father and son relationship between Odysseus and Telemachus achieve a secure relationship through distance. Even though they don’t have a typical father and son relationship in which they bond by doing things together. On the contrary, their relationship develops through distance of them being apart for such a long time. Telemachus is proud of his father for his heroic reputation and he develops his own character. And typically a son and father who are not close wouldn’t share this connection because they don’t really know each other. Their relationship is focused more on spending time apart than actually interacting with each other. Their distance relationship makes the relationship stronger as they have love and admiration for each other.