Virgil’s Quill: Mightier in Death than Life?

Virgil's Quill: Mightier in Death than Life?

Oh, Rome. It's the 19th of September, 19 BCE. The sun is blazing, the Tiber is meandering, and our beloved poet Virgil, renowned for his epic Aeneid, has ascended to the Muses. So, as we gather to mourn, let's also pause for a moment to ponder: Is Virgil's quill mightier in death than life?

In the spirit of our dear bard, let me weave you a tale. Virgil, a man of humble beginnings (you know, just our average farm boy turned literary genius), emerged as a beacon of hope during the Augustan age. His Aeneid is not just a fancy bedtime story, folks. It is the very essence of Rome, a metaphorical mirror reflecting both our glory and our flaws.

Yet, does the full impact of his work truly sink in when the poet is still breathing among us, signing autographs at the forum? Or does it, paradoxically, come alive once the poet rests his quill for the final time? It's like that old Latin saying, "pictura est laeta dum poeta spirat", or as we'd say today, "the art is merry while the poet breathes". Upon his death, Virgil's voice has become a chorus that echoes across the city, resonating more profoundly than ever.

Without Virgil, the words of the Aeneid are like a gladiator in the arena without his net - you still enjoy the spectacle, but you miss the thrill of the chase.

Yet, let's not forget - Virgil did not merely bequeath us with the Aeneid. He has gifted us with an inexhaustible treasury of wisdom that will linger, like the scent of incense in the Temple of Jupiter, long after his funeral pyre has turned to ash.

Let’s also remember the inclusivity in his verses. “Omnia vincit amor et nos cedamus amori” – Love conquers all; let us yield to love. In a society that often feels as rigid as marble, Virgil dared to write about love in all its forms, reminding us that the essence of Rome lies not just in its grand architecture and military prowess, but also in the beating hearts of its citizens.

So, Rome, as we say our heartfelt "Vale" to Virgil, let's remember his wise words, his inclusive spirit, and the power of his quill. Mightier in death than life? Perhaps. But isn't that the beauty of art - its ability to transcend the mortal coil of its creator, to speak to us across the gulf of time, to inspire, and to effect change?

For while our beloved bard may no longer stride among us, his spirit, his wisdom, his voice -