A downloadable pdf file of the Final Essay Exam is available online. It is also available as a Word.doc.

Demonstrate your understanding of the four themes discussed in the Aeneid, and illustrate this understanding by providing examples of these themes from the Aeneid, as well as from everyday life. Answers will be assessed using the following rubric.

Assessment Rubric
1. Few facts are identified, described or defined. The response insufficiently addresses the concept. Logic is flawed, and/or digresses significantly.
2. Some facts are identified, described or defined. The response somewhat addresses the concept. Logic is a little flawed, and/or digresses somewhat.
3. Several facts are accurately identified, described or defined. The response is logical, addresses, explains and/or defines the concept, and relates it to the facts presented.
4. Facts are accurately and clearly identified, described or defined. The response is logical and includes a judgment of the concept’s value based on personal opinions. The response also compares, contrasts, interprets, criticizes, defends or justifies the information presented.

Theme Questions
Directions: Write at least two paragraphs for one of the themes listed below.. In your first paragraph (A), support your understanding of the theme with specific examples from the Aeneid. In your second paragraph (B), provide examples of the theme using modern-day situations.
1. Culture is history in the present
2. Fate vs. personal choice
3. Might makes right vs. right makes might
4. Art reflects culture vs. art influences culture

1. Culture is history in the present
Part A: In a short paragraph, explain what you think “culture is history in the present” means. Provide examples from the Aeneid to illustrate your understanding of this phrase.

Part B: In a short paragraph, provide a modern-day example of how culture is history in the present that is not from the Aeneid.

2. Fate vs. personal choice
Part A: In a short paragraph, explain the difference between fate and personal choice. Give examples from the Aeneid that illustrate the tension of fate vs. personal choice.

Part B: In a short paragraph, give a more current example of fate vs. choice that is not from the Aeneid.

3. Might makes right vs. right makes might
Part A: Did Virgil write the Aeneid more to illustrate the idea of “might makes right”, or the idea that “right makes might”? In a short paragraph, illustrate your understanding of the difference between these phrases, supporting your opinion with examples from the story.

Part B: Give another example, not from the Aeneid, that further illustrates your understanding of might makes right or might makes right.

4. Art reflects culture vs. art influences culture
Part A: Is the Aeneid an example of art reflecting culture, an example of art influencing culture, or an example of both? Write a short paragraph to explain your opinion, supporting it with examples from the Aeneid.

Part B: Write a short paragraph that gives examples, not from the Aeneid, to support just one of the ideas below:
a. art reflects culture
b. art influences culture
c. art both reflects and influences culture