Virgil Aeneid’s “Book VI”
Virgil Aeneid’s portrayal of the underworld is influenced both by Christian and non-Christian ideologies with the latter preceding the development of modern Christianity. The ability of Aeneas to speak and see the spirits of the dead does not go in line with the Christian beliefs. However, judgment in the underworld for souls, depending on their life on earth presents a similar view of the Christians’ perspective on life after death.
Aeneid’s book VI is based on the belief in life after death. Aeneas sets on a journey to the underworld to meet his father’s spirit for consultancy. Aeneas claims to be following instructions that required him to seek help from his father concerning the fate of the Trojans: “From the sea-coast to Troy… [Aeneas] came to Italy by destiny” Virgil (I. 4). The belief that Aeneas’s father was able to help create the impression that spirits continued to live after death. According to Christian faith, life after death is said to be dependent on the experience led in the world. People who lead righteous lives are promised eternal life and joy, while sinners are guaranteed to get an eternity of suffering. Therefore, Christians generally believe in life after death. The full belief inspired Aeneid’s book that spirits of the dead would help the living from the spiritual world. The idea brought about by Aeneid’s book is that people transit to a different life after death. Besides, Aeneas succeeds in meeting his father, and they hug each other tightly. The existence of Aeneas’s father is evidence that life after death is a reality, according to Aeneas’s belief. However, the ideas in Aeneid’s book VI contradict most beliefs in Christianity.
The beliefs in life after death appear to be built on traditional ideologies rather than Christianity. Aeneas meets spirits of the dead, a fact that is not supported in Christianity. Christianity treats conversations with dead souls as works of darkness. Also, Aeneas seeks the services of a medium, which permits him to travel to the underworld. Christianity does not have a possibility for a person to visit the dead and come back. The beliefs contained in Aeneid’s book VI contradict on whether they take a Christianity or a non-Christianity approach. Generally, both Christian and non-Christian influences are evident in the build-up of Aeneid’s book VI.
Both Christian and non-Christian beliefs believe in the punishment for sinners. Christians believe that God has the final judgment for people who live in sin at a future date. Non-Christians, on the other side, believe that nature has its way of creating a balance between the righteous and the wrong-doers. Although the non-Christians may advocate for early punishment, both Christians and non-Christians believe that judgment comes after death. Virgil Aeneas presents Rhadamanthus as the judge in charge of the sinners, judgment in the underworld. Rhadamanthus appears to be listening to sinners’ pleas before sentencing them to their punishment.
Similarly, sinners in the Christian way of life will be condemned to hell if they fail to repent their sins on earth. Of course, Aeneas’s view has some differences from Christianity. For example, Aeneas does not present heaven and hell as in Christian beliefs. Instead, sinners are condemned into Dis while good souls are taken to the Fields of Gladness, found within the Great Dungeon. However, the setting of the Dis and the Fields of Gladness is similar to hell and heaven in the Christian faith.
Moreover, Aeneas’s influence on Christianity is intensified by the presentation of the purgatory. Christians believe that all souls move to the same point before being separated after judgment. The story of Christ’s experience in the hell explains Christians’ belief on the first destination of spirits after death. Therefore, Aeneas follows the ideology of Christianity by taking all the souls to the Dis, awaiting the final judgment from Rhadamanthus. Besides, Aeneas’s work is dated at a time around Christ’s death, and thus the tradition of the time could have been influenced by Christianity. Generally, Christianity affects the setting of Aeneas’s work concerning the underworld.
Prophecies are based on an individual’s ability to see issues in the future. Prophecy is recognized in both Christianity and non-Christianity. Although the source of information in both beliefs differs significantly, the primary goal of prophecy is to solve the puzzle of future uncertainty. The non-Christianity view is based on the power of dark spirits to reveal visions to the living world. Christianity, on the other side, is based on the belief that God is able to communicate with the prophets through visions. Aeneas goes to the underworld to answer to the call from his father’s spirit concerning the fate of the Trojans. Aeneas’s experience around the spirits gives him a glimpse of the future, and he learns about the future of the Trojans. Similarly, Christianity is based on the belief that prophets are sent by God to see the future on behalf of the people. Therefore, Aeneas holds a similar position as that of a Christian prophet. However, the prophecy of Aeneas comes through a different way since he has to pass through a medium who gives access to the underworld.
Moreover, the journey of Aeneas to the underworld presented him with a chance to get the future glory of the Roman empire. The Caesars were growing famous, and knowledge concerning their future was required. Christianity was not new to the issue of Caesars. The setting of book VI is at the time of Augustus Caesar. Augustus Caesar is familiar with the Christians because of the crucifixion of Jesus. Aeneas’s visit to the underworld can be associated with the eventual glorification of the Caesars by Aeneas. Generally, the prophecy abilities of Aeneas are similar to the Christianity view on prophecy, although non-Christianity ideologies are utilized.
The influence of Christianity is evident in the approach of Aeneas towards the pursuance of truth. Although modern Christianity does not include the consultation of prophets, ancient Christianity involved visiting temples for consultancy. Aeneas goes to the temple to consult the prophetess concerning the fate of the Trojans. The prophetess is presented as the ancient form of mediums in that she is a commanding individual. Aeneas is commanded into speaking his mind immediately he sets his feet inside the temple. Also, both Aeneas and Sibyl appear to be afraid of the spirits. Sibyl warns Aeneas of the repercussions that would include a denied access to the underworld if the spirits did not agree to his plea. The fear of spirits is similar to the Christians position on the power of spirits over the living. For example, the issue of Moses in the Christian bible to fall down at the notice that he was talking to God showed that spirits were powerful. Generally, Aeneid’s book VI is influenced by Christianity view concerning spirits.
Additionally, rational human beings do not have access to the underworld with the help of mediums such as prophets. Aeneas has to seek the advice of the prophetess before going to hell. Besides, Sibyl accompanies Aeneas to the underworld because the prophetess was assumed to be closer to the spirits than other people. Also, Sibyl had more knowledge on the issues of the underworld and would guide Aeneas throughout his journey. The movement of Aeneas into the forest is associated with several Christianity influences. For example, Aeneas says a little prayer that is immediately answered through the appearance of two doves. The ideology presented in Aeneas book VI is that prayers are answered and takes Christianity form.
The transition from the living world to the spiritual world is defined in Aeneid’s book VI. River Acheron presents a symbol for the boundary between life and death. Aeneas realizes that River Acheron determines whether a soul will transit to the other side of the spiritual world. Most spirits are held at the banks of the river with suffering if proper burials are not done for their bodies. Also, the river determines whether living people are allowed to visit the spirits of their loved ones. For example, Aeneas has to seek approval before crossing the river from a golden tree branch. Sibyl is on position to help Aeneas when he forgets the procedures to follow before crossing the river. Additionally, the spiritual world appears organized with the spirits being in areas that are determined by the life led in the world.
Moreover, River Acheron appears to be the determinant of the destiny of the various spirits. Aeneas is able to hear the voices of suffering souls. Also, Aeneas and Sibyl meet the wandering spirits of individuals who had died for love. The darkness associated with the underworld is similar to the darkness that Christianity associates with death. The similarity with Christianity comes in the way the spirits do not choose their destiny. The souls have judged according to the life that the individual led while on earth. For example, individuals who wanted to die for love are presented as wanderers in the underworld. Christianity beliefs claim that spirits do not have the decision concerning their destiny after death. Generally, the ideologies developed by Aeneas are influenced by Christianity in that the fate of the spirits can only be changed before death.
The emergence of Christian prophets evidenced the middle ages. The primary role of the prophets was to see into the future for the people. Wars and other calamities used to be headaches for the people living during the middle ages, and thus, the future intervention was essential. The information from prophets helped people in the planning for future calamities as well as fortunes. Christians believed in the prophets’ ability to communicate with God on behalf of the communities. Besides, God would not speak to everyone, and thus prophets acted as mediums.
Similarly, the non-Christians held the belief that some people were able to talk to the spirits on behalf of the other people. The prophets are portrayed as the mediums through which the living world can access the spiritual world. Aeneas goes to the prophetess to be given access to the Dis. Sibyl appears to be familiar with the rules of the spiritual world and warns Aeneas of the dangers that might befall them. Besides, Sibyl knows what procedures to follow before crossing the River Acheron. Therefore, the images created by Aeneas is similar to the Christianity view of the underworld.
Although Aeneid’s book VI is set at a pre-Christianity period, most of the ideologies developed in work are theological in nature. The book VI passage presents Aeneas at the position of a Christian prophet. However, the modification of Christianity shown by Aeneas was different from modern religion. Besides, several other authors based their arguments on Aeneas’s work. For example, Dante created hell in the inferno. Also, the idea created by Aeneas has a Christian influence in that the sinners are exposed to punishment. Generally, Aeneas develops his story from a non-Christian perspective but eventually moves to a Christian perspective.
Fate is different from religion. Both Christianity and non-Christianity perspectives have a perception that fate cannot be changed. An individual goes through the direction of their destiny without control over the outcomes. With the help of a prophet, an individual can know their fate. Knowing one’s fate may, however, not be useful in changing the outcomes of fate: “If for this fated youth… then snatch him from fate by flight” Virgil (4). Fortunately, an individual who knows their fate is in a position to tread carefully as well as reducing the severity of the expected results. The influence of non-Christianity is seen in the way the destiny of Aeneas remains intact despite the interference of the lesser gods. Fate is placed above the power of gods in the celestial hierarchy. The directives of fate determine the life that an individual will lead. Generally, the presentation of fate in the non-Christian perspective is different from the Christian perspective.
The Christianity perspective concerning fate is significantly different from that of the non-Christianity. Christians place God above everything else. Fate comes below the power of God. Christians believe that God can change even the worst of the destinies. Besides, the attempts to fight against fate end up leading to the transformation of the individuals: “Shall I who have begun desist? … the fates forbid” Virgil (II-19). When individuals are transformed, their lives move to a particular direction that turns out to be fate’s destiny. Therefore, attempts to change the fate of an individual do not work in the non-Christianity perspective. For example, the desire of Dido to go against fate to have Aeneas consumes her instead: “Oh Dido, was it true then? It was the gods” Virgil (VI-8). Generally, the difference in the positions of fate is evident between Christian and non-Christian perspectives.
The setting of Aeneid’s book VI is set in the golden ages of the Roman Empire. Caesar Augustus was in power at the time Virgil wrote book VI. The main objective behind book VI was to come up with a mythical presentation of Rome. Rome was destined to thrive after conquering most of the known world (Freudenburg, 117). The settlement of Aeneas in Latium goes in line with the settlement of the Roman Empire on foreign lands. Besides, Rome is in a period of transition towards accepting Christianity. Therefore, Christianity impacts the ideas created by Virgil. The development of Virgil’s work is done from the history of the time. Great attention is put on the history of Greek culture as well as the Greek gods. The Italian people are struggling to build an order and good government, and thus, the story is based on seeking help for the Italians. The story is built on a contrast between the reality of the Roman empire and the Trojan empire. The Trojans are portrayed as victims of violence and wars, unlike the real Roman Empire that is peaceful and organized.
Christianity and non-Christianity are based on family royalty. The story of book VI is based on the journey of the Trojans from Troy to Italy. The journey is, however, full of challenges and wars. The lack of a family in Virgil’s view shows a lack of stability and identity. The sufferings of the Trojans are made worse by the fact that the responsible powers are beyond the control of human beings. The presentation of the Trojans’ suffering takes the form of a theological view of suffering. Christians believe that suffering is God’s way of passing a message. Also, the decision to seek help from the spirits is in line with the Christianity way of seeking help from God. Besides, the fate of the Trojans destines them for suffering, but the Christian influence moves Aeneas to seek a change of fate.
In sum, Virgil Aeneid’s portrayal of the underworld is influenced both by Christian and non-Christian ideologies with the latter preceding the development of modern Christianity. The beliefs in Aeneid’s book VI contradict most beliefs in Christianity. The beliefs in life after death appear to be built on traditional ideologies rather than Christianity. For example, Aeneas meets spirits of the dead, a fact that is not supported in Christianity. Both Christian and non-Christian beliefs believe in the punishment for sinners. Christians believe that God has the final judgment for people who live in sin at a future date. Non-Christians, on the other side, believe that nature has its way of creating a balance between the righteous and the wrong-doers. Although Aeneid’s book VI is set at a pre-Christianity period, most of the ideologies developed in work are theological in nature. Generally, the difference in the positions of fate is evident between Christian and non-Christian perspectives. The fate of the Trojans destines them for suffering, but the Christian influence moves Aeneas to seek a change of fate. Generally, Virgil’s book VI is influenced by both Christianity and non-Christianity.
Reflection
Book VI by Virgil Aeneid presents a unique story of the middle ages. The presentation of the story leaves a debate on the impact of Christianity and non-Christianity on the ideas developed by Virgil. The story brings a broader meaning on the nature of after-life and brings out a contradiction. Virgil’s book is another perspective that comes to my side concerning life after death. However, the strength has helped in strengthening the belief towards life after death. Besides, Virgil presents the transition from the ancient Christianity and modern religion. Ancient Christianity is viewed to be similar to the non-Christianity perspectives. The connection of the reading and the interpretation of Christianity and non-Christianity is clearly brought out by the book. I would like to get a deeper understanding of the influence of Christianity and non-Christianity on Virgil Aeneid’s book VI.
References
Freudenburg, Kirk. “Seeing Marcellus in Aeneid 6.” The Journal of Roman Studies 107 (2017): 116-139.
Jarman, Mark. “You Are Not Finished: Seamus Heaney’s Translation of the Aeneid Book VI.” The Hudson Review 69.3 (2016): 506.
Maclennan, Keith. Virgil: Aeneid VI. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2016.