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Aeneas: the Frodo of Epic Poetry
Manage episode 461593699 series 2682020
Aeneas really, really does not want to be in this poem. As in, he would rather be dead. That's how the Aeneid starts out: when we're introduced to our hero he's a very unwilling participant in a grand plan for world history, and he doesn't feel remotely up to the task. Virgil might have felt the same way, crushed under the political and artistic pressure of telling a founding story for Rome's new era. Which makes this a perfect time to read the poem, as a troubled America gets ready to celebrate 250 years since its own founding.
Use code HERETICS to get 10% off Field of Greens: fieldofgreens.com
A helpful list of translations: https://foundinantiquity.com/2023/12/05/do-we-have-too-many-english-translations-of-the-aeneid/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20there%20is%20not,English%20translations%20of%20the%20Aeneid.
Order Light of the Mind, Light of the World (and rate it five stars): https://a.co/d/2QccOfM
Mailbag: Check out Omeros, by Derek Walcott
312 episodes
Manage episode 461593699 series 2682020
Aeneas really, really does not want to be in this poem. As in, he would rather be dead. That's how the Aeneid starts out: when we're introduced to our hero he's a very unwilling participant in a grand plan for world history, and he doesn't feel remotely up to the task. Virgil might have felt the same way, crushed under the political and artistic pressure of telling a founding story for Rome's new era. Which makes this a perfect time to read the poem, as a troubled America gets ready to celebrate 250 years since its own founding.
Use code HERETICS to get 10% off Field of Greens: fieldofgreens.com
A helpful list of translations: https://foundinantiquity.com/2023/12/05/do-we-have-too-many-english-translations-of-the-aeneid/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20there%20is%20not,English%20translations%20of%20the%20Aeneid.
Order Light of the Mind, Light of the World (and rate it five stars): https://a.co/d/2QccOfM
Mailbag: Check out Omeros, by Derek Walcott
312 episodes
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