The Aeneid essay help?

Question

"The God’s Part in Events - Their Motives and Characters" Thats the essay title we got but what do i write about

SOOOOO STUCK HELP :(

Answer 1

There are many Gods who play a part in the Aeneid but the main two are Jupiter and Venus


Jupiter: King of the Gods, originally God of the sky. He uses lightening bolts to punish his enemies. In The Aeneid, Jupiter upholds what is fated, despite the efforts of other Gods or Goddesses to alter the future. The characters in the epic also pray to Jupiter for help in times of distress. In book I lines 347-398. After the storm where Juno tries to ruin Aeneas’ fleet, Jupiter promises Venus that her son’s destiny has not been changed and that fate will be carried out as promised. He then tells her all the things fated to Aeneas, and the line of descendants from him that will eventually found the great city of Rome. Just after that, (405-410) he sends a messenger so that the Phoenicians “put aside belligerence as the God willed” and Dido “took on a peaceful mood, an open mind toward Teucrians”. In book IV, lines 297-324, Jupiter decides to send Mercury to Aeneas to tell him that by Jupiter’s will and that of the fates to sail from Carthage now to fulfill his destiny. Whether he loves Dido or not, he must put that aside. If he will not do it for himself, he is told to do it for his son so as not to begrudge him of the honor he is chosen for. When Dido finds out that he is going to leave, she confronts Aeneas, and in line 456 it says that Aeneas “by Jove’s command held fast his eyes and fought down the emotion in his heart”. He tells her that she means a lot to him and that if the fates permitted he would stay. As it is he tells her “I sail for Italy not on my own free will”(499). In book V, when Juno manipulates the women to set the ships on fire, Aeneas prays to Jupiter to “grant that our fleet survive this fire” and “at the last moment save the frail affairs of Trojans from destruction”(890-896). At this, Jupiter sends a storm and pouring rain to fill up the ships and put out the fire, saving all but four ships. In book VII, (180-197) Aeneas is praying ceremoniously and Jupiter “thundered three times out of a brilliant sky and shook before their eyes with his own hand a cloud ablaze with gold and rays of light.” This is their sign that they have come to the place and time for “laying down the walls owed them by fate”.
In book X, (9-21) Jupiter calls a council in his hall. He had “forbidden Italy to engage in war with Trojans”. He asks them to refrain from causing or helping this war along, and that “the time for war will come” and they “need not press for it”. Later he speaks again (138-157) saying that since the Gods are not willing to stay separate from this battle, “whatever fortune each may have… The effort each man makes will bring him luck or trouble. To them all Jupiter is the same king. And the fates will have their way.” Later in book X, Juno wants to save Turnus, and basically Jupiter tells her that she can take him and turn him away from battle, but that will not change his fate. (872-880). Finally, in book XII to end the whole thing, Jupiter sets a deal with his wife. If she will stop this right now, he will allow Ausonians to keep their language and their name and way of life. Teucrians will be incorporated into all this, and their rituals will be added but in Latin so they will have the same speech. The race that will come of this mixing will be devoted to the Gods and Juno especially(1125-1140). With this pact, Aeneas’ destiny is fulfilled and Turnus is killed.
Venus is the Goddess of love and beauty. In The Aeneid, she protects her son in any way that she can, warning him and giving him information as needed. In book I, she appeals to her father to make sure that her son’s fate is to be carried out as was planned(310-345). She also goes down to Aeneas in disguise in Carthage and gives him news that his friends are still alive and he should go to the queen(535-540). She also cloaks him in a fog so that he will not be harassed or disturbed with questions on his way there (563-7). She then sends Cupid to shoot Dido with a love arrow so that she will fall for Aeneas and not be subject to the animosities that Juno may try to instill upon her or turn her against Aeneas (907-940). In book IV, Juno and Venus come up with a plan for a wedding of sorts between Dido and Aeneas, though Jupiter would not approve, Juno does it anyway (152-180).
After the fires in book V, Venus comes to her son on behalf of Jupiter to tell him to take his chosen men and go to Italy, leaving behind the older and weaker since the four ships have been destroyed. She tells him that there will be a battle, but first he must visit the underworld and will hear of where his city will be(940-962). She then goes to Neptune and begs him to give them a safe journey, and he promises that only one will be lost to them (1015-1066). In book VIII, Venus goes to her husband Vulcan and bids him to use his power to make her son some weapons for war(497-515). He agrees to do this for her; if it is what she wants he will give all that he can. She then takes the gifts down to her son(823-832), and tells him that he should not hesitate if and when he is called to battle. In book X after Jupiter speaks of staying out of the battle, Venus appeals to him again to “let those you favor Conquer”(57). And if the Trojans cannot win, at least let her save Ascanius her grandson from the war(58-67). Finally in book XII, Venus saves her son twice. In 562-578, she brings down a healing stalk of dittany and anoints it with a healing mixture so that Aeneas’ wound is healed. Then near the end, she saves him again when he cannot pry his sword from a stump and Turnus is still armed, Venus comes down and tears his weapon from the stump so that they may have a fair fight (1054-1065).

Answer 2

In relation to who or what?