Conflict Detective

Students take on the role of “Conflict Detective” to analyze six major clashes in The Aeneid. Each case-ranging from “The Storm at Sea” to “The Final Duel”-requires learners to identify the cause of the conflict, determine whether it is Divine, Internal, or External, and explain the impact in 1-2 sentences. This structured analysis teaches how literary conflict drives both character development and plot progression. By distinguishing divine manipulation from human choice, students explore how fate and free will intersect in epic storytelling. The exercise also promotes concise analytical writing, a skill vital for literary essays.

Curriculum Matched Skills

English Language Arts – Reading Literature: Key Ideas and Details (analyzing conflict and motivation)

English Language Arts – Writing: Text-Based Explanations and Evidence

English Language Arts – Speaking and Listening: Discussion of Themes and Outcomes

World Literature – Mythology and Epic Tradition (fate vs. free will)

This worksheet is part of our Aeneid collection.