Virgil: Reception and the Myth of Biography

Abstract

Ideas of Virgil´s `reception´ and of his mythical `biography´ can both be illuminated by an exploration of Virgil´s role as a constructed character in his own poetry. The consensus between some earlier Roman responses to Virgil and the traditions of commentary on the poet from later in antiquity informs the following discussion of the poet´s individual presence in the performance and reception of his work. Earlier sources, which show an interest in the development of Virgil´s work over time, often convey a strong sense of the poet´s character. Later material, mostly in the form of commentary, presents Virgil as an instructor - of poetic technique, rhetoric, and philosophy, who composes to be heard as well as read. The role ascribed to the poet by all of his ancient readers amounts to a dramatic role. It will be argued that the Eclogues, Georgics and Aeneid are not only representations of pastoral, heroic, and historical worlds: through their reception they constitute a representation of the poet´s character, as an autographic imprint of of Virgil himself.