Consider Virgil’s narrative structure for the Aeneid. What narrative devices does he use to slow or quicken the action? How does he use the structure of his poem to imitate the works of Homer?

How does Virgil define a hero, and how does his vision of a Roman hero differ from the Homeric model? Do you think Aeneas is a compelling protagonist? Why or why not?

Respect for what has come before us—not only our culture, but our ancestors—is an important theme in the Aeneid. How does Virgil honor the past while also looking to the future?