It is consistently unclear in old world literature, From Homeric epics to Virgil's work the Aeneid, what the relation of fate is to the Pantheon of gods. There seems to be an ongoing debate within the text discussing whether `Fate' is the supreme ruling force in the universe and the controlling element of the lives of men or whether fate is the will of the king of gods, Jupiter. Reasons for this confusion are a bit unclear and could range to anything from a threat by an outside influence holding power over the author, such as Virgil's patron Octavian, a general, public confusion on the matter during the time when the Aeneid was written, or simply the author`s lack of understanding the topic. The befuddlement of the Romans on this topic becomes apparent with a close reading of the Aeneid and observation of the contradictions contained within it.
Quite pertinent to the discussion of fate's place in Virgil's writing is discovering the two different views presented regarding where Jove resides in the matter. There are two possibilities presented in the text. In one case Jupiter is the supreme ruler of the cosmos and `fate' is that which he wills. This could mean a long detailed plan involving the actions of men and the founding and destruction of civilizations, or merely a whimsical commotion with which he amuses himself. In the conversation between Juno and Venus:
"Would one city
Satisfy Jupiter's will for Tyrians
And Trojan exiles? Does he approve
A union and mingling of these races?"#
It seems fairly explicit in this instance that the will of Jove takes precedence over the wills of all others. But does this constitute fate? At this point in the story the two goddesses, seem to refer to J...
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...questions such as fate were and are still decidedly unknowable without a god specifically revealing to them the truth. This is why there is the element of confusion in the texts and a currently ongoing discussion of the matter of fate's role in daily life.
In summation, the reason why fate is such a hot topic is as follows, There is evidence presented on both sides in such quantity that neither opinion can simply negate the other. The authors of the works which feature the confusion, in this case Virgil specifically, are themselves uncertain of the true relationship between gods and fate and thus in keeping with a notion of personal piety feel it is necessary to include both ideas in their works which results in the high level of both proofs and ambiguity. The argument is then a simple matter of personal choice and the hope that yours is the right, pious one.
Furthermore, Ovid illustrates fate as a concept that not only supports the powers of the Gods, but also challenges it. The readers view many cases in which mortals suffer horrible fates due to the passion of the Gods. Thus, they pray to the Gods to escape or go opposite of their already destined fates quite similar to how Frodo did when he was given the opportunity to destroy the One Ring (the “Mount Doom” scene in the film), but could not. This sort of opposition to fate due to uncontrollable forces can be seen with the mythological roles of Hercules, as well as Orpheus in the sense of how either one of them are recognized for their accomplishments and success.
... in check. For example, during the Crusades, priests of the church claimed that if you were willing to serve in God’s army and slay Muslims in the Holy Land, you would guarteen you and your family’s way to heaven, possible changing your fate and God’s will for you. How is it that men can determine the will of a being, who’s purpose is to determine the fate of men in the first place. It’s a situation that places the concept of fate in a more negative, and less glorious light than the epics of our class.
Fate is defined as “the determining cause by which things in general are believed to…happen as they do,” “It is “an inevitable…outcome.” (Merriam-Webster) However, fate isn’t the determining cause, it is dependent on karmas. Karmas are derivatives of the invisible Karman particles that are all around the world. (umich.edu) Through ones’ thoughts and actions karmas bond to the soul. (umich.edu) Over time the karmas accumulate and begin to cloud the once pure and truly knowledge soul. Ancient Greek tragedian Sophocles uses the idea of fate as the basis for his tragedy “Oedipus the King.” The character Oedipus ultimately turns out to be an exemplification the notions of Karma and fate.
In The Aeneid there are rich implemented principles such as fate, discipline, and competition which greatly influenced the Roman empire causing it’s rise from obedience to the principles as well as it’s fall from disobedience. Virgil lived during the dawn of the rising sRoman empire, and his book was a catalyst to the greatness that grew within the nation. The Aeneid focused around the principle that fate’s power and dominance overrule human life, which in turn would bring indolence or proactivity depending on the individual’s capacity. Although fate can easily be ripped down as a belief it did many great things for the Romans whether it is real or not. Unfortunately the themes of deceit and trickery also crept into the book’s contents, which
The Anglo-Saxon understanding of fate is not all too different from our modern understanding and applies to both Christian and pagan beliefs. Fate is a force that controls a man’s life, regardless of his actions. Fate is usually seen as three women, sometimes blind, who weave the thread of a man’s life and cut it when it is his time to die. In Anglo-Saxon literature, fate, its power and the doom it can bring are often referred to. In “The Wanderer,” an elegy that laments the narrator’s dead lord, the narrator states that “All earth’s kingdom is wretched, the world beneath the skies is changed by the work of the fates.”
An interesting and important aspect of this Greek notion of fate is the utter helplessness of the human players. No matter the choice made by the people involved in this tragedy, the gods have determined it and it is going to come to pass. T...
Fate can be defined in many different ways. Webster's Dictionary defines fate as a power that supposedly predetermines events. Fate is synonymous with the word destiny, which suggests that events are unavoidable and unchangeable. Whatever happens in life is meant to be and cannot be changed by mankind. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, fate plays an important role in the lives of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo.
Fate has a place in the Greek world but its place is not the same as it is in other scenarios or worlds. It is important to understand the word before we discuss it. Fate as far as Greek mythology goes is not just fate. By most standards fate means that things occur for an unknown reason that no one has any control over. However, in the world of Greek Mythology fate does not just happen. The gods engineer fate and they interfere to make things happen that might not otherwise have happened. Since the players do not always know of the gods' involvement, things may actually appear to be fate but in reality be engineered happenings.
The idea of fate has baffled mankind for centuries. Can humans control what happens to them, or is everyone placed in a predestined world designed by a higher power? The Epic of Gilgamesh and Oedipus The King highlight on the notion that no matter what, people cannot control what is destined to occur. Interestingly enough, many other distantly connected cultures had, and have similar gods or goddesses who play a role in the fate of individuals. Oedipus, King of Thebes, was told by the Oracle at Delphi that he would one day kill his father and marry his mother. Determined not to let this prophecy verify his fears, Oedipus does all in his power to prevent this from happening, yet fails. Similarly, Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, attempts to obtain immortality, but fails as well. Gilgamesh's and Oedipus's intense fear and ignorance cause them to try to interfere with their fates, leading to their failures and realization of the futility of trying to control destiny.
The idea of fate has existed for a long time and exists even today. Fate revolves around the idea that people's lives are predetermined and that no matter what is done it cannot be changed. With the gods it was used to explain events that seemed strange. Sophocles expands on this idea by introducing Oedipus' fate. The thought of fate is strong considering no matter how hard he struggles he still receives what was predetermined. As a baby he survived the elements on Mount Cithaeron. As Oedipus was destined to live, it shows the dominance of fate. Having fate play such a large part of the play is certainly an insight into the Greek's idea that fate controls us no matter how hard we struggle against it.
Matthaei, Louise E. “The Fates, the Gods, and the Freedom of Man's Will in the Aeneid.” The
In English literature and Greek mythologies fate and free will played colossal responsibilities in creating the characters in the legendary stories and plays. The Greek gods believed in fate and interventions, predictions of a life of an individual before and after birth which the individual has no control over their own destiny. Free will and fate comingle together, this is where a person can choose his own fate, choose his own destiny by the choices the individual will make in their lifetime. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of free will is the “freedom of humans to make choices that are not determined by prior cause of divine intervention”. Fate and the gods who chose their destinies directed Gilgamesh, Oedipus and Achilles.
The concept of fate versus free will is very much like a map. One has a destination, but many possible routes to get there. The destination is one’s fate, but the paths, or free will, is what controls when and how one will get there. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles argues that Oedipus’ choices, not his prophesied destiny, ultimately causes his downfall. Oedipus’ decision to be prideful, stubborn, and rash all contributes to his impending doom. In Thebes, the law of free will prevails over men.
Webster defines fate as a “ a power thought to control all events and impossible to resist” “a persons destiny.” This would imply that fate has an over whelming power over the mind. This thing called fate is able to control a person and that person has no ability to change it.
In Oedipus Rex, fate is something that unavoidably befalls two characters. The gods decide Oedipus and Jocasta’s fate even before they know it. Trying to avoid destiny is pointless because no matter what, it will catch up to you where ever you are. It is often thought that you can change your destiny, but in reality our fate was put into action the day we were born.