The summary laid out by the opening of Book I has an enormous effect on the rest of the poem. ... The opening introduction allows the rest of the poem to focus on the travels and adventures of Aeneas. ... This proves to be how the rest of the poem is laid out. ... Book one is a dense collection of information that sets the framework for the rest of the poem. ... With this out of the way, Virgil can get down to business and begin crafting the characters and their adventures without any ambiguity as to where the poem is going or what the characters are trying to accomplish....

• Word Count: 829
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

These references to topics going on in Virgil's time would be of particular interest to his contemporary readers. ... The one thing I believe though is that Virgil did not consider these allusions critical to his poem. Yes, he did want to appease Augustus and stay in his favor, but more importantly, Virgil meant to glorify Rome. ... One way that the poem would be widely read was if there were references to the present time and those individuals in it (i.e. ... Even though Virgil wanted the poem destroyed while he was on his deathbed, Augustus wanted his contemporaries to read about the...

• Word Count: 927
• Approx Pages: 4