How Does Virgil Create Tension In The Aeneid

In the Aeneid, Virgil narrates the legendary story of Aeneas as he flees Troy and heads towards Italy to found a new empire and become the ancestor to the Romans. The first six of the poem’s twelve books tell the tale of his twisted journey from Troy to Italy, constantly delayed and hardened by the impulsive decisions of the gods, and the latter half describes Aeneid finally reaching his unchangeable destiny upon the Trojans’s arduous victory against the Latins. The rivalry and disputes of the gods looms so heavily throughout the poem that at times it seems that the poem is more about the bickering of the gods than it is about Aeneas’ voyage. The omnipresent difference in status between divine beings create tensions and rivalries that dramatically
The storm that Aeolus summons quickly disrupts the oceans and soon, "Neptune became aware Of hurly-burly and tempest overhead, Bringing commotion to the still sea-depth and rousing him." (1.171-174) It is portrayed as enemy troops spotted in Neptune’s territory, "Aeneas' squadron far and wide" (1.176), and Neptune questions "How could you dare [...] by no will of mine" (1.182) while threatening Aeolus him, "You'll pay a stricter penalty" (1.187) The incident increases the tension between the gods regarding Aeneas’ journey, and Neptune cannot tolerate the fact that Aeolus caused a disturbance of the seas. Neptunes scorn, condemn, and threats towards Aeolus and his action further supports the hierarchical class of the
Although Juno is aware that she cannot prevent Aeneas from reaching his destiny, she unleashes her anger and resent by laying down obstacles in Aeneas’ way to slow his down and inflict pain on the Trojan race. Virgil reveals early in the poem that although Aeneas is “Burdened and sick at heart” as a result of his loss of men, “He feigned hope in his look, and inwardly Contained his anguish.” (1.285-286) As he motivates his men, he tells them that “God will grant us an end.” This illustrates the role Aeneas believes divine power plays in his life. He is aware that there are gods doing all they can to stop him from founding Rome, namely Juno who, ever since the golden apple incident, seeks revenge on the Trojan race. This demonstrates his perception that Jupiter’s power will trumps the will of any and all other gods, and the interference caused from the lesser gods striving to advance their personal and whimsical interests is confined within the larger destiny that is under Jupiter’s control. His trust in Jupiter’s supreme power over the rest of the gods is evident in his incapability of emotional self indulgence and the placing of his divine mission, to found Rome, above everything else in his