The Aeneid: Feminine Will

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2023-05

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The Ohio State University

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Abstract

The story of the Aeneid, as a tale about "wars and a man", follows the arduous journey of the Trojan hero, Aeneas, through the storms, both literal and metaphorical, of the Mediterranean. As such, it can be simple to read, experience, and interpret the poem as nothing more than that – a story about a male protagonist who must go on an endless quest to fulfill his destiny. My goal with this creative project is to depict an alternative reading in which the women are not interpreted from the masculine point of view. Instead, I aim to consider their feminine narrative, as it is characterized by the intimate, emotional, and loving interactions between the women, as significant and invaluable aspects of the story. By illustrating significant events within the Aeneid and emphasizing instances of dominant feminine will, I hope to bring out facets of the poem often overshadowed in readings focused primarily on Aeneas and his heroic deeds. Through an artistic framework, this project aims to contribute to the invaluable and fast-developing feminist body of work in the classical world and beyond.

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Aeneid, Vergil, Feminine

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