Compare carefully the opening lines of The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Aeneid. How does the opening of Virgil’s poem set itself apart from those earlier openings of Homer, which most of his readers could repeat by heart? How is Virgil’s introduction both alike and different from Homer’s? Especially, how does the opening of Virgil’s poem sound out themes that are unique to Roman culture, its historical role, and its age? Use multiple details, examples, quotations in your response.

Compare carefully the opening lines of The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Aeneid. How does the opening of Virgil’s poem set itself apart from those earlier openings of Homer, which most of his readers could repeat by heart? How is Virgil’s introduction both alike and different from Homer’s? Especially, how does the opening of Virgil’s poem sound out themes that are unique to Roman culture, its historical role, and its age? Use multiple details, examples, quotations in your response.