Relationship Between Fate And Fate In The Iliad

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Ariel Beniaminov The gods in The Iliad frequently interfere with the affairs of mortals. The gods control and affect the lives of the mortals as they have certain favorites. Even though the gods are powerful, they do cannot alter the fate of mortals. The gods are committed to sustain the fate of each individual. At birth a mortal is given a preset destiny that cannot be altered not even by Zeus, king of the gods. However the will of Zeus can alter fates plan, but the gods choose to refrain from such actions. Destiny and fate are widely present as mortals are trapped by their own destinies. In The Iliad is every action predetermined and do mortals have the ability to alter fate with free will? Those who are aware of their destinies …show more content…

Fate is the development of events beyond a person’s control, and is often determined by a supernatural power. While destiny is a course of events that will occur and is something that is usually inevitable such as death. Each person’s destiny is determined by the three sisters of fate who spin the thread that is measured and cut. It can be inferred that the gods are affected by fate but are not affected by destiny since they are immortal and cannot die. The fates and the gods work in unison even though the gods theoretically could go against the fates. Zeus’s will is authoritative and Zeus believes that what he decrees must be carried out without …show more content…

On the tenth year the Acheans will defeat Troy. Agamemnon uses the prophecy that Troy will fall as a motivational tool to encourage his soldiers to keep fighting. In book four, Agamemnon believes in the prophecy of Calchas, despite Zeus helping the Trojans. This is a little strange considering that Zeus’ will shall be done. Agamemnon and his soldiers are disobeying Zeus’ will while at the same time fulfilling the prophecy that Troy will fall. This indicates that Zeus tries to alter the destiny of Troy, which is futile since he is aware that Troy is destined to fall. The Trojans believe in the will of Zeus and gain courage and a glimmer of hope that they can win the war. Zeus’ golden scales determines fates and which implies that he cannot create fate as he relies on his scales to determine the outcomes of

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