A stylistic critique of Aeneid 10

As a particularly poignant moment in the poem Vergil employs Homeric allusion for the sake of adding striking detail to the scene. The first line uses a chiastic arrangement in ‘densos alacer Mezentius hostis’; Vergil depicts Mezentius with no less that the raging fury associated with Turnus. The word ‘alacer’ brings to the surface a shining example of epic characterization, the epithet, mainly memorable because Vergil employs the same terminology to Turnus in book 12 line 337 thus establishing a forceful link between the two again pointing to Mezent

ius prefiguring Turnus’ destiny as he will meet Aeneas in battle and will fall. Further to both themes is Acron’s depiction as ‘infelix’ again an epic epithet and once more it suggests that luck is a major factor in the episode.

Moving away from the idea of fate, Connington suggests a reference to the Homeric phrase‘gaia melaina’ with ‘atra humum’, whether intentional or not this is the forerunner to many Graecism’s and Homeric references in this passage. Other examples include the Greek accusative ‘paeana’ perhaps picking up Achilles speech to the Greeks after the death of Hector in Iliad 22.365 a particularly apt epic reference in this instance. Further to this is Vergil’s probable adaptation of Homer’s sleep of bronze (Iliad 11.241). Connington also points out the similarity between lines 734-735 and Iliad 7.243 indeed Mezentius’ victim Orodes has forecast the imminent fatality of his slayer just as Hector did to Achilles and indeed is met with the same abrupt dismissal, and again 736 with Iliad 16. 862-863 where the failing Patroclus has been addressing Hector; the question is why does Vergil choose to use so many Homeric references in this passage, apart from firmly establishing the epic nature of this scene the answer appears unclear. Perhaps it is just a result of the latter stages of the Vergilian epic having firmer roots or coincidences in subject matter with the battle scenes of the Iliad. Further to this is Mezentius’ depiction as an

Some topics in this essay:
Furthermore Vergil, Vergil’s Mezentius, Iliad Mezentius’, Mezentius’ Indeed, Orodes Mezentius, Hector Achilles, Hector Iliad, , Jupiter Orodes’, Gods King, line 740, homeric references passage, vergil employs, idea fate, line 743, slay orodes, lines 734-735, word play, monosyllabic line, vergil chooses, homeric references,