Fate And Fate Analysis

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Recommended: Fate and free will in Shakespeare

Joseph Bebco
Professor Myla Morris
ENGL 232 001 Introduction to Drama- MWF 10:20-11:20
Due: 4/28/14
Circumstantial Downfall
The circumstantial downfall and fate of the characters within a play (usually surrounding the protagonist) are reoccurring themes that can be seen throughout all Eras of theatre. The theme of fate in plays like William Shakespears’ King Lear is miscontrued as a main theme, with characters seeming to have a vested interest with their destinies being predetermined, but is really a sub-theme in the shadow of the theme circumstatial downfall. I will specifically focuse on how the predetermination of fate/destiny correlates with a man’s sense of free will and how these themes played a role in William Shakespears’ King Lear [Elizabethan Thatre.] I will discuss the presense of these two themes within the named play to build a context and then delve into a more opinionate view of the themes and their connection with each other.
The battle between fate and free will can be seen coupled throughout many plays of the Greek and Elizabethan Era’s, in Oedipus Rex, Oedipus was destined to kill his father and marry his mother, but chose to not trust Creon, and he chose to investigate the murder of King Lias even after being warned by Tiresius and he chose to blind himself. In King Lear, fate is implied through characters like Glocester. He states that the misfortunes he is suffering as a result of an “eclipse” and places the blame on celestrial events (p 19.) This idea is further solidified when Edmund begins to mock Gloucester after he leave about his belief of supernatural phenomenon pulling the strings of their destinies (p20.) Lear showed his free will by banishing the few people who loved him. This also led to Ed...

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... Rex” and other tragedies that were held throughout the Greek Theatre Era can be considered a forerunner in the consequential downfall labeling of the themes used in the plays of tragedy.
Intriguingly, free will and fate are paired up in an a way that ultimetely decides the outcome of King Lear. Gloucester, and other characters, believe that a higher power predetermined their lives; there seems to be more occurrences of free will taking place than fate, but the role of a destiny does play an important task in the end. This respect in the belief of fate plays a significant role in King Lear’s characters lives, which consequently leads the readers to question whether or not the importance of fate in the play is as strong as the characters believe. The question of whether the characters acted under their predetermined destiny or free will is left to interpretation.

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