The Use of Dreams in Epic Form

Present in most epics, dreams are used by Homer and Virgil in the Iliad, Odyssey, and the Aeneid to catalyze action in the plot. These epic dreams serve a vital purpose to the bard in his formulation of the epic and to the audience in their understanding of the epic. Inspired by gods, formulated in the minds of men, and acted upon to further the plot, these dreams bring about great changes in the course of the epic in which they are contained. Using these aspects of dreams to examine the concept of the dream among the early Greeks and Romans, we have to rely mainly on the literature that has survived to arrive at any conclusions about their dreams. However, reliance on literature, such as epic poetry, presents difficulties. Drama and literature are reflections of society, but not exact ones. Using American television as an example, there is very little accuracy in television as a reflection of American society. Keeping this tendency for inaccuracy in mind, the Greek view of dreams that has developed from the study of dreams in ancient literature is that the dreams present information that otherwise would not be know to both the character and the audience, clarify problems, and inspire action (Robbins 3). In addition to dre

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As a result, the dream itself must not have been a fabrication and really did occur, making it a perfect example of somnium dreams.

There are two gates of sleep: the one is said

to be of horn, through it an easy exit

is given to true Shades; the other is made

of polished ivory, perfect, glittering,

but through that way the Spirits send false dreams

into the world above .

Based upon these interpretations, both the ancient and the modern, the actions of the dreamer are either validated or manipulated by the dream. Also, dead relatives who inspire them along their journeys visit both Odysseus and Aeneas. In Book Eight of the Aeneid the god of the Tiber River appears to Aeneas to tell him that he will find a white sow and her litter along its banks. Second, these meanings were interpretable, which means the meaning of the dream could be prophetic, giving information about the future. This dream, sent by the gods, later turns out to have accurately predicted the actions of Odysseus’ bloody return home.

Oh give me your hand – I beg you with my tears!

Never never again shall I return from Hades

Once you have given me the soothing rites of fire.

Further concerning the dream of Penelope many scholars question the validity of her dream at all.

And you too,

Your fate awaits you too, godlike as you are, Achilles—

To die in battle beneath the proud rich Trojans’ walls!

(Iliad vv 75, 81-97)

With this dream the bard reminds the audience of Achilles’ primary motive for killing Hector, his murder of Patroclus, reiterates the mortality of Achilles when Patroclus predicts that Achilles will not be long in joining him in the underworld, and makes the reader conscious of the parallel world of the dead as Patroclus wanders in front of the gates of Hades. Anchises appears to Aeneas and gives him instructions as to what he is to do in the future in order to found Rome, and the old man describes the events that will occur as a result. ams only being reflections of society, the characters of ancient literature are warriors, kings, and gods, which tells us very little about the lives of ordinary people. This oraculum dream prompts a renewed attack on the Trojan forces by the Achaeans. Finally, in Book Five of the Aeneid Anchises appears to Aeneas giving him instructions for the future.

Approximate Word count = 3077
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)

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