Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Adventures of Aeneas explained
Aeneas escapes Troy with his father and son, loses his wife, and leads a fleet of Trojan refugees on a quest to find a new homeland.
What happens
Aeneas escapes Troy with his father and son, loses his wife, and leads a fleet of Trojan refugees on a quest to find a new homeland. After consulting the oracle of Apollo and mistakenly attempting to settle in Crete, they are redirected to Italy. Along the way, they encounter the Harpies, Polyphemus the Cyclops, and a storm raised by Juno, which Neptune calms, driving them to the coast of Carthage.
Themes in this chapter
Fate and Free Will
Aeneas is guided by oracles and divine warnings (the bleeding bush, the dream) yet must navigate obstacles raised by hostile gods like Juno.
Hospitality and Its Violation
The murder of Polydore by the Thracian king violates the sacred bond of hospitality; later, Helenus and Andromache offer generous hospitality to the Trojans.
Hubris and Divine Retribution
Juno's vengeful pride over the judgment of Paris drives her to persecute the Trojans, illustrating divine retribution for perceived slights.
Characters to notice
- Aeneas
The Trojan chief leading the remnant of his people in search of a new home; escapes Troy with his father and son, loses his wife, and faces numerous trials.
- Juno
Hostile goddess who stirs up a storm against the Trojans, recalling the slight of Paris.
- Neptune
God of the sea who calms the storm raised by Juno, rescuing the Trojan fleet.
- Polyphemus
The one-eyed Cyclops encountered by Aeneas off the coast of Sicily; his eye had been put out by Ulysses.
- Ulysses
Mentioned as the Greek hero whose companion was left behind and whose adventure with Polyphemus is recounted.
- Phoebus Apollo
God whose oracle on Delos gives Aeneas the ambiguous command to seek his ancient mother.
Key passages
“Spare me, Aeneas; I am your kinsman, Polydore, here murdered with many arrows, from which a bush has grown, nourished with my blood.”
Aeneas is begged by the voice of his murdered kinsman Polydore, whose blood has nourished a bush, to stop tearing its branches.
This prodigy warns Aeneas away from Thrace and underscores the theme of violated hospitality.
“Seek your ancient mother; there the race of Aeneas shall dwell, and reduce all other nations to their sway.”
The oracle of Apollo tells Aeneas to find the original homeland of his ancestors, where his descendants will rule over all other peoples.
This ambiguous prophecy sets the Trojans on their quest for Italy.
“Is it thus, Trojans, you treat us innocent birds, first slaughter our cattle and then make war on ourselves?”
A Harpy accuses the Trojans of killing their cattle and attacking them, and foretells future sufferings.
The Harpy's curse adds to the series of trials Aeneas must endure.
“Above the waves, as Neptune showed his face, To chide the winds and save the Trojan race, So has your Highness, raised above the rest, Storms of ambition tossing us repressed.”
Waller compares Neptune calming the storm to a leader quelling political turmoil.
This poetic allusion links the myth to contemporary politics.