The Death of Virgil: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Death of Virgil" presents a poignant exploration of the major characters surrounding the dying Roman poet Virgil, offering deep reflections on life, love, and legacy. Virgil, confronted with the impending end of his life, grapples with his past choices, particularly his devotion to poetry, which he believes has cost him personal connections and authentic love. This internal struggle culminates in his wish to destroy his epic work, the "Aeneid," as he perceives it lacks the depth of self-knowledge he has finally attained.
Plotia Hieria, a significant figure from his past, appears in his visions, urging him to embrace love over his literary ambitions, symbolizing the personal sacrifices he made for his art. In contrast, Augustus Caesar embodies political power, displaying a hollow grandeur that Virgil ultimately sees through; he persuades Virgil to preserve the "Aeneid" for the benefit of the Roman people, indicating the tension between personal desires and public responsibility. Lysanias, a young boy who assists Virgil during his final moments, represents innocence and the fleeting nature of life, bridging the gap between reality and the poet's hallucinations. Collectively, these characters enrich the narrative, reflecting on themes of fulfillment, sacrifice, and the enduring impact of art.
The Death of Virgil: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Hermann Broch
First published: Der Tod des Vergil, 1945 (English translation, 1945)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Brundisium (Brindisi, Italy)
Plot: Philosophical
Time: 19 b.c.e.
Virgil Publius Vergilius Maro) (VUR-gihl; PEWB-lee-us vur-JIH-lee-uhs may-roh), the dying Roman poet who, returning to Rome with Augustus Caesar, takes a long look into his own soul and sees his life as hypocrisy. In his devotion to poetry, he has denied love and has thus served death rather than life. He insists that his Aeneid, because it lacks this perception, should be destroyed, but he finally agrees to preserve the poem at Augustus' bidding. Knowing, at the last, the salvation that is self-knowledge, the poet dies.
Plotia Hieria (PLOH-shee-uh hih-OO-ree-uh), a woman whose love Virgil had renounced long ago. She appears to the dying poet in the visionary world of his hallucinations and beckons him on to the renunciation of poetry for love.
Augustus Caesar (oh-GUHS-tuhs SEE-zur), emperor of Rome, whose glory is revealed to the dying Virgil as a hollow majesty. The emperor persuades the poet not to destroy the Aeneid, because the poem's true owner is the Roman people.
Lysanias (lih-SA-nee-uhs), a young boy who attends the dying Virgil, sometimes in reality, sometimes in the poet's hallucinations.