Virgil

This 2004 guide gives a full account of the historical setting and significance of The Aeneid.

This guide offers a complete account of the historical setting and significance of The Aeneid, and discusses Virgil's use of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, as well as the most celebrated episodes in the poem, including the tragedy of Dido and Aeneas' visit to the underworld. The volume examines Virgil's psychological and philosophical insights, and analyzes the poem's status as the central classical work of European culture. The guide to further reading has been updated and will prove an invaluable resource. First Edition Hb (1990): 0-521-32329-0 First Edition Pb (1990): 0-521-31157-8

Preface; Part I. Background: 1. Virgil in the light of his time; 2. Life of Virgil; 3. The Eclogues; 4. The Georgics; 5. Metrical unity and continuity; Part II. Virgil and Homer: 6. 'Arms and the man'; 7. The Aeneas legend; 8. The 'Odyssean' Aeneid; 9. The 'Iliadic' Aeneid; Part III. Reading The Aeneid: 10. The text; 11. The story; 12. Structure; 13. Expression and sensibility; 14. Narrative technique; 15. The world of the dead; 16. Father-figures; 17. Juno; 18. War and heroism; 19. Fate and free will; 20. Conclusions; Part IV. The After-Life of the Aeneid: 21. Influences and reputation; 22. Virgil and Dante; 23. Virgil and renaissance epic; 24. Virgil and romanticism; Principal characters of the poem; Guide to further reading.