Critics of the Aeneid focus on a variety of issues. The tone of the poem as a whole is a particular matter of debate; some see the poem as ultimately pessimistic and politically subversive to the Augustan regime, while others view it as a celebration of the new imperial dynasty. Virgil makes use of the symbolism of the Augustan regime, and some scholars see strong associations between Augustus and <answer>Aeneas</answer>, the one as founder and the other as re-founder of Rome. A strong teleology, or drive towards a climax, has been detected in the poem. The Aeneid is full of prophecies about the future of Rome, the deeds of Augustus, his ancestors, and famous Romans, and the Carthaginian Wars; the shield of <answer>Aeneas</answer> even depicts Augustus' victory at Actium against Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII in 31 BC. A further focus of study is the character of <answer>Aeneas</answer>. As the protagonist of the poem, <answer>Aeneas</answer> seems to waver constantly between his emotions and commitment to his prophetic duty to found Rome; critics note the breakdown of <answer>Aeneas</answer>' emotional control in the last sections of the poem where the "pious" and "righteous" <answer>Aeneas</answer> mercilessly slaughters Turnus.
Who is the protagonist of the Aeneid?
Aeneas