Virgil's Aeneid?

Question

Do you think Virgil presented his Aeneid in a way that was easily understood by the plebians?

Answer 1

I don't think he was writing for the plebes. If you read it, particularly the first book and the last, it's clear he was aiming it at the Emperor and the patricians. I imagine some of the plebians could understand it, but it was really geared for those with some education.

Answer 2

back in the day...of course...that's the way they told stories then...without tv and radio...how else could they paint a picture...they listed all the heritages of people in the story, they explained all the history...it added a certain amount of depth and respect to the stories characters...it also gave credit to the intelligence of the story teller.

to us now it's a little overwhelming...knowing who was hitler's great great grandfather who's brother defeated mr. bean in an epic battle for 3 days, who's brother invented the wheel while composing beethoven's 5th symphony....(none of it true btw)...but it adds the excitement and extra depth that makes it worth while.

if you read the illiad, odyessy, inferno or even the bible...they use the same type of story telling techniques. it's the way it was done.