Descent to the Underworld in the Aeneid by Virgil and the Odyssey by Ho

Descent to the Underworld in the Aeneid and the Odyssey I chose to compare the Odyssey written by the Greek poet Homer and the Aeneid by the Roman poet Virgil. I will focus my interest on Book 11 of the Odyssey and Book 6 of the Aeneid, since that is when both of the main characters make an educational visit to the underworld. The description of the underworld created by Homer's wild imagination, inspired Virgil eight centuries later. Virgil's masterpiece was planned as an imitation of Homer's poems, so one automatically starts comparing the creations of the two authors. They were separated by eight centuries and by the cultural differences of their people. These differences are reflected on the structure of their compositions. At first the reasons for Aeneas's and Odysseus's voyage to the world below seem similar. Both of them want to receive information from the people who have already died. This knowledge is necessary in order for them to continue a successful life in the real world, amongst the real people. Aeneas wants to ask his wise father Anchises for advise about the foundation of a new state - Rome. His father tells him about the future of his family. This prophecy includes the history of Rome all the way until the days of Virgil himself. What glories follow Dardan generations ====================================== In after years, and from Italian blood What famous children in your line will come, Souls of the future, living in our name, I shall tell clearly now, and in the telling Teach you your destiny.[1] The need for Odysseus to travel to the underworld doesn't seem to be motivated at all... ...not only the characters but also the poets who wrote the two outstanding compositions, on which all of the world's literature is based. Homer who glorifies the great value of a person and Virgil who glorifies the grandeur of the State - Rome. [IMAGE] Works Cited Fagles, Robert. The Odyssey. New York: Penguin Books USA Inc. 1996 Fitzgerald, Robert. The Aeneid. Penguin Books. --------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] Virgil Aeneid B.6 line 1015 [2] Homer Odyssey B.11 line 111 [3] Homer Odyssey B.11 line 129 [4] Homer Odyssey B.11 line 153 [5] Homer Odyssey B.11 line 614 [6] Homer Odyssey B.11 line 540 [7] Virgil Aeneid B.6 line 883 [8] Virgil Aeneid B.6 line 824 [9] Virgil Aeneid B.6 line 835 [10] Virgil Aeneid B.6 line 1230