Virgil

1
Virgils Aeneid Ovids Metamorphoses

• Both written during reign of Augustus Caesar,
  first emperor, and sent to him
• Virgil dies 19 B.C., with Aeneid incomplete
• supposed to be the official epic of the founding
  of Rome
• met with great approval by Augustus
• Ovid dies, exiled by Augustus, in 17 A.D., with
  Metamorphoses complete
• Augustine does not revoke poets exil
• Both written in six beat epic poetic line,
  dactylic hexameter

2
Aeneid Metamorphoses

• unified structure
• focus on single hero
• exemplifies and trans-mits its cultures dominant
  values
• respect for gods
• service to social city
• celebration of masculine
• denigration of feminine
• extols permanence

• fragmentary structure
• multiple heroes
• exemplifies and trans-mits values despised by its
  dominant citizens
• pokes fun at love affairs of gods
• enjoyment of personal pleasure
• transitory nature of life