What is the role of prophecies/fate in The Aeneid?
The theme of fate is central in the epic. The story is driven by the prophecy that the Trojans will complete their journey to a new city. Several symbols pop up throughout to allude to this (images on the shield, Romans in the underworld). Fate however is flexible in Virgil’s story, especially when the Gods are affecting the plot. How destiny is fulfilled is a mystery, and Juno makes does not make it straight-forward. It is interesting to see how Aeneas fulfills his destiny however, as he points out that he feels compelled to do it.
I totally agree with you on your insight one the role of prophecies or fate in Aeneid. I think it is a brilliant take on for Virgil to incorporate the prophecies as reinforcements. The one that really caught my attention was the one given by Jupiter as hope to Aeneas’s future. I was also amazing of the way Aeneas depends totally on these prophecies as his help towards his destiny.