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The Age of Reason · Character

Virgilius

Roman poet referenced in Paine's literary comparisons.

minor

First appearance: the age of reason

Virgilius shows up with force in XII: The Effects of Christianism on Education; Proposed Reforms. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Condemned to be burned for asserting the antipodes (that the earth is a globe).
In the storyXII: The Effects of Christianism on Education; Proposed ReformsOpen this moment free

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In XII: The Effects of Christianism on Education; Proposed Reforms: Condemned to be burned for asserting the antipodes (that the earth is a…

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Character Web

4 connections

A slice of how Virgilius sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

SOSolomonBOBonifaceSASamuel AdamsADAdamVIVirgilius

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Creation and classical references
  • Diverse historical and biblical figures
  • Paine's publishers and allies

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs as the narrator directly juxtaposes Mark’s doctrine of salvation t…

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In the story

Virgilius appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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Who is Virgilius in The Age of Reason?