Q.What is the role of prophecies and/or fate in The Aeneid?
Answer. Fate is a central theme and one of the most important forces that is represented. Neither man nor divine intervention can change those outcomes. The king of the gods, Jupiter, preordains the direction and destination of Aeneas’s course. Various gods interfere in Aeneas’s life to advance their own personal interests, but they can not change fate. Their interference do however impede him on his journey to fulfilling his destiny. The defeat of Troy by the Greeks was another step to in the Trojans fulfilling their destiny.
I agree with your statement. The can not change fate because fate is already set up for him. I think the same way, regarding to Aeneas accomplishing his destiny with his decisions on the way.
I like your answer. Fate is something that directs Aeneas to go the destination. There might be so many ways to get there, but eventually, Aeneas has to get there no matter what. Even though they can intervene the road to destination in certain ways, Aeneas still can overcome those obstacles and that makes Aeneas more like a hero.
I agree with your statement. There are clearly many events where people tried to prevent Aeneas from reaching his destination. However, no matter how much they tried, it was inevitable that Aeneas would be able to overcome every obstacle. Therefore, if something is meant to be for you, nothing can change it, despite the infinite number of attempts.
You make a great point in saying that though the gods try to manipulate his path they still cannot change his fate. I feel like that may make the gods feel frustrated and want to express their anger towards him. After all, there are many other situations in which they get their way. Making them seem very childlike in that sense.