James Zhang 10/7/16

Prof. Ramdass HSS 1 K

The Gift of Augury

In The Aeneid, Virgil emphasizes the importance of Aeneas remembering his goal; for

him, the goal literally drives his journey. Striving toward an end is crucial for Aeneas, especially

since he has beset by every possible disaster, including the wrath of a god as well as the internal

struggle for identity. To stay on track of his journey and to keep from going insane, Aeneas has to

repeatedly remind himself of what his future holds. Not only does this make his journey more

bearable, but more importantly, it also gives him and his crew a renewed sense of purpose.

The first book deals with Aeneas and his crew being shipwrecked on unfamiliar land.

With his crews morale at an all-time low, Aeneas gives the following speech to ease the pain and

bolster the spirits of his comrades:

God will grant us an end to these as well.

You sailed by Scyllas rage, her booming crags,

You saw the Cyclops boulders. Now call back

Your courage, and have done with fear and sorrow.

Some day, perhaps, remembering even this

Will be a pleasure. Through diversities

Of luck, and through so many challenges,

We hold our course for Latium, where the Fates

Hold out a settlement and rest for us.

Troys kingdom there shall rise again. Be patient:

Save yourselves for more auspicious days.

(Virgil 10, lines 273-283)

What is prominent about this speech is how Aeneas calls upon the men to systematically dispel

their fear and think toward the future. Aeneas uses the words call and courage (10, 275-6),

which are connected because a call is a loud vocal utterance, which refers to the intentions and

inclinations in ones mind connoted by courage. To call also means to recall, or to bring back

a person from a state of mind. In this case, Aeneas hopes to empower his men by changing their

fearful mindset to one that is objectively clearer by physically announcing their courage aloud.

Moreover, Aeneas uses the word courage rather than any other similar word such as bravery

or puissance. One definition of courage is remembering ones intentions and purpose,

especially speaking to the heart as the seat of feeling. Aeneas specifically uses this word to

remind his men of their bright futures. This is furthered by the word done, meaning: that which

has been done or accomplished. To be done with a goal is to have achieved it, and one way to

achieve such a goal is to repeatedly recall it to the forefront of ones mind, as to never forget it.

Furthermore, in this context, to be done with fear and sorrow is to literally tire of it, to a point of

exhaustion and even boredom. Aeneas encourages his crew to externally announce their goals

out loud, which reinforces their intention and perseverance in the face of danger. This allows the

crew to blot fear out of their minds and focus all their attention to the collective goal.

Even with all the misery at hand, Aeneas wishes to focus on what is in store rather

than in the present moment. In the sentence God will grand us an end to these as well (Virgil

10, line 273), the word end means: a final cause; the object for which a thing exists; the

purpose for which it is designed or instituted. This refers to Latium, the final destination for the

travel weary Trojans and the foundation of the entire Roman Empire. It is quite literally Aeneass

ultimate purpose, and what he has been trying to achieve ever since the fall of Troy. Fortunately,

Aeneass future has been all but ordained by the gods. He knows that no matter how bad it is
currently, it will get better in the future. This allows Aeneas to save precious psychic energy by

not becoming too invested in the present. Again the paramount goal is kept in mind and drives

Aeneas ever forward.

With each new encounter, Aeneas is reminded again and again about his fate. In

Book III Aeneas meets Helenus, the sage who predicts his future. Helenus gives Aeneas his wake

up call; right as he feels lost and does not know what he is searching for, he is given the answer.

Aeneas recalls a part of his prediction:

Further, if Helenus can look ahead,

If you can trust a seer, and if Apollo

Fills his mind with truth, I have one thing

To tell you, over and over again, one thing

To warn you of, son of the goddess: make

Your prayer first of all to Junos godhead,

Chant with a will your vows to her: secure

With humble gifts the power of that lady,

So in the end in triumph, with Trinacria

Left behind, you will be sent to Italy.

The Aeneid, Virgil p.81 Lines 581-590

The term look means to direct ones sight at (something), and even more specifically, to direct

or apply one's mind; to turn or fix one's attention or regard; to engage in mental contemplation,

investigation, examination, etc. For Aeneas, this means his future and of course, his kingdom.

Ahead refers to a position facing toward; in or into a more advanced position. The

combination of these two words suggests that to advance any further on his journey, Aeneas must
recall repeatedly, his destiny. This is strengthened by the usage of the terms over and over and

again, which express the repetition of quantity. The emphasis on restatement is not lost when

Helenus tells Aeneas to chant with a will to Juno to please her (81, line 587). One definition

of chant is: to recite musically, intone; to sing to a chant, in public worship. The word worship

stands out because it is almost as if the goal is being idealized. A definition of will is a desire,

wish or longing. Aeneass longing is one of home, a kingdom, and of course, Troy. To chant for

something, especially to a higher power, is akin to pleading, if not groveling, which shows just

how badly Aeneas wants his kingdom. Ultimately Helenuss prophecy rekindles the burning

ember for a kingdom vested in Aeneas.

Just as Aeneas begins to lose sight of the future, he is reminded yet again and his

motivation revitalized. By repeated recollection of his desire and goal, Aeneas is able to maintain

his resolve throughout the course of his difficult journey. He is able to draw on what is

guaranteed to him by fate (his future kingdom) and use it as a buffer when challenges arise.

Aeneas is a man trapped in time; he always reliving the past, battling the present, and dreaming

about the future. He is presented with an endless number of roads that lead to his destiny,

however, the destination justifies whichever path he may take. Gods, fate, destiny and old haunts

aside, the true force pulling Aeneas forward is his future. In a way, by recalling his future,

Aeneas is utilizing an effective coping strategy that allows him to handle traumatic events. With

further tragedies awaiting him, this gift of foresight is a godsent.