Lavinia in Virgil's Aeneid: Silent Figure or Face of History?
In her essay for MIfacciodiCultura, Giorgia Zoino examines the character of Lavinia in Book XII of Virgil's Aeneid, focusing on her emotional struggles and silence, which are expressed through her blushing. Lavinia, the daughter of Latinus and Amata, is betrothed to Turnus and depicted as a voiceless presence, with her feelings indicated by her reddening complexion. Citing Professor Crescenzo Formicola's 2012 work, the essay argues that specific verbs highlight Lavinia's internal pain and passivity. The contrasting colors in the narrative reflect her psychological transitions, representing the tension between fear and modesty. Unlike Medea, Lavinia's blush is portrayed objectively. Formicola compares her to Iphigenia, suggesting she symbolizes Roman history and embraces her role as a matron. This article was published on Artspecialday on October 15, 2026.
Fatti principali
- The essay focuses on Lavinia, daughter of Latinus and Amata, from Book XII of Virgil's Aeneid.
- Lavinia is described as a silent tragic figure whose only emotional outlet is her blush.
- Professor Crescenzo Formicola's 2012 book 'Virgilio, Etica, Poetica, Politica' (Liguori Editore) provides the main scholarly framework.
- Formicola interprets the verb 'accepit' as indicating Lavinia's passivity and 'violaverit' as intensifying her internal suffering.
- The color imagery (white lilies, red roses, ivory stained with purple) symbolizes the conflict between fear (timor) and modesty (pudor).
- A comparison is drawn with Medea, referencing Apollonius Rhodius's Argonautica, Book IV, where Apsyrtus's blood stains Medea's robe.
- The author criticizes interpretations by A. La Penna and R. Heinze that diminish Lavinia's role.
- Formicola argues that Lavinia, like Iphigenia, is a figure of sacrifice who embodies Roman history and the mos maiorum.
Entità
Artisti
- Virgil
- Giorgia Zoino
- Crescenzo Formicola
- A. La Penna
- R. Heinze
- Apollonius Rhodius
- Frederick Sandys
Istituzioni
- Liguori Editore
- MIfacciodiCultura
- Artspecialday
Luoghi
- Rome
- Italy