The Aeneid by Virgil is an attempt to demonstrate through its noble characters the lofty vision of the Roman imperial agenda. The actions of the characters stand as the voice of celebration of all things Roman. The author’s narration often serves as opposition for anyone not wholly embracing such a patriotic celebration. Through textual evidence we will explore the portrayal of women in The Aeneid. The purpose of the evidence chosen is to support the fact that Roman imperialism was mandated by Roman patriarchy. Women were expected to reflect this ideal in their demeanor, actions and beliefs, however, it was an extension of the prevailing male identity of the time, solely dependent not only on Roman ideology but, consequently, male ideology.
Aeneas is the hero of The Aeneid because he is portrayed to embody the Roman ideals of the socio-political environment in which he lived. In the relationship between Aeneas and Dido we see the classic profound love but a female who is a heroine because she embodies the ideal qualities necessary to be a useful mate to a Roman hero. She is the classic “good woman” behind the successful man, and she will have to sacrifice the love of her husband for duty, but it is his duty to Rome for which she must do so. Nonetheless, Dido is devastated by the loss, which further underscores her deep loyalty to Rome because she could make such a personal sacrifice for a community cause, “But now for some while the queen had been growing more grievously love-sick. Feeding the wound with her life-blood, the fire biting within her…His look, his words had gone to her heart and lodged there: she could get no peace from love’s disquiet” (Mack 585).
Yet, we also see that the ideal Roman woman was one who always dutifully obeyed her husband as well. Roman values were reinforced by family values, families wherein the male was head of state. We see this in many of the behaviors of Dido: Whe...