Fate vs Free Will - 1663 Words

Oedipus The King: Fate Vs. Free Will The ancient Greek writer, Sophocles suggests that while there are factors beyond mankind’s control that we have the power to make choices that affect our destiny. In his play, Oedipus the King, Sophocles makes it quite clear that although everyone is born with a fate, you have the ability to alter its direction and toll. The main character of the play, Oedipus, is based on the way Sophocles portrays the equilibrium between fate and freewill, and shows the reader, how one can alter his destiny through the hand of free will. This play shows an underlying relationship of man s free will existing within the cosmic order or fate that the Greeks believed guided the universe. Man was free to choose and†¦show more content†¦But in the end when he tears out his eyes, Oedipus is accepting the full responsibility of his acts and knew that he must be punished for his sins; those being angering the gods and not accepting their power and greatness. Therefore the last act of destruction was caused by Oedipus free will, but his tragic fate came about because of the role of the gods in human affairs. I can personally relate to this play because I agree wholeheartedly with Sophocles. I have shown you a couple examples from this play that explain how Oedipus uses free will to influence his fate. My personal views of this topic agree with my thesis. I believe that everything we do in life is of our own hand. I also believe, like the Greeks, that we are born with a fate, a predetermined path to life. Once we are born, however, that path (fate) can be altered as little or as much as we so choose. Unlike Oedipus, we will never know our fate, but I think that doesn’t change the fact that our free will changes everything in our lives. I do think that sometimes, things happen that you can’t control, but when that happens, you can always choose the next step after that. Deciding what you do in your life after a situation is not fate at all, that is all free will. Looking outside of Greek mythology and my own personal opinions, I look to the Internet to find out some more information on fate and free will. â€Å"Free willShow MoreRelatedFate Vs. Free Will2263 Words   |  10 Pagesone side on fate vs free will. They feel as though you have no ultimate choice and fate will always be your destiny. However, that does not mean everyone follows their destined path until death. In Homer’s The Iliad, fate and destiny as the final outcomes of a person’s life, however, at some points you wonder if a person’s destiny falls directly in the decisions made by someone. Hektor and Achilles both had choices, but ultimately believed they must follow their destiny. In Beowulf, fate generallyRead MoreFate Vs. Free Will988 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout the scottish tragedy Macbeth, William Shakespeare plays with the concept of fate versus free will in the the title character, Macbeth. This internal conflict is sparked and continued by t he presence of the witches; three old hags whose primary purpose is presumably to serve evil. The three witches are in control of Macbeth throughout the play by incanting prophecies that ultimately remove Macbeth’s free will. Shakespeare chooses the witches to serve as the stimulant for Macbeth’s unethicalRead MoreMacbeth: Fate vs. Free Will1718 Words   |  7 PagesFate vs. Free Will 11th of January 2013 Throughout the ages, it has been believed that fate has the power to forge one’s destiny. By some uncontrollable force, the outcome of a person’s choices is controlled by the way in which they are destined to occur. On the other hand though, some believe these choices can defy fate and that fate only manipulates ones mind into choosing their own path. One question that seemed to pop into my head through out this play was whether individuals were victims ofRead MoreFrankenstein Fate vs Free Will857 Words   |  4 Pagesgives the reader is the power of Fate versus Free Will. Victor is found by Robert Walton in the artic while Victor is trying to capture a monster that he has created. Victor flashes back to his past and tells Robert how he created the monster and how the monster killed off his family. He warns Robert about many things by telling him how he reacted and why he reacted that way. Throughout the entire book, the main character Victor Frankenstein, says tha t it was his fate to create the monster and toRead MoreMacbeth: Fate vs Free Will Essay1208 Words   |  5 PagesFate vs Free Will is one of the most oft used literary techniques in writing. It is never more evident than in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. The major theme of the story Macbeth is whether or not the story is fueled by the free will of Macbeth, or by his fate. Are the events in Macbeth a result of his mentality and outlook on life, or were they going to happen no matter what? Almost every major event that takes place can be traced back to this question. It can be viewed in different ways, and mostRead MoreMacbeth Fate Vs Free Will2019 Words   |  9 Pageshaunting and ominous play The Tragedy of Macbeth offers many topics of discussion and debate about human nature such as fate versus free will. This plays a rather large role in the story. However. even though this story seems to be of a pre-destined nature everyone always has the freedom of choice and control over oneself s thoughts and actions. In this story Macbeth chose his fate. In the beginning of the play Macbeth is introduced to the audience or reader as a warrior and hero of the people, countryRead MoreJulius Caesar : Fate Vs. Free1298 Words   |  6 Pagesicons. Others might say Bill Gates vs. Steve Jobs because they were different as apples and oranges, yet they had much in common because they both created and dreamed of the idea of a personal computer. But is it possible that fate vs. free will spark an idea in peoples’ brains? Maybe. This essay will be focusing on that relationship and balance in one famous piece of work. In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Julius Caesar, Julius Caesar proved that fate and free will maintain a tug-of-war situationRead MoreFate Vs Free Will In Shakespeares Macbeth1260 Words   |  6 PagesRegarding â€Å"real world† scenarios, the â€Å"fate vs. free will† debate has long been disputed, but humanity has never come to a verdict on whether human actions are determined by fate or free will. Shakespeare’s Macbeth involves aspects like equivocation and supernatural forces to build on this idea and its pertinence to Macbeth’s tragic downfall. Macbeth is presented with three central prophecies from the witches concerning his seemingly royal destiny at the beginning of the play and again near theRead MoreAn Analysis of Fate vs. Free Will in the Theban Plays1392 Words   |  6 PagesAn Analysis of Fate vs. Free Will in the Theban Plays When Teiresias asks in Antigone (line 1051), What prize outweighs the priceless worth of prudence? he strikes (as usual) to the heart of the matter in Sophocles Theban Plays. Sophocles dramatizes the struggle between fate and free will, in one sense, but in another sense the drama might be better understood as the struggle between the will of the goods (which it is prudent to follow, according to Teiresias) and mans will (which is oftenRead MoreFate vs. Free Will in Julius Caesar933 Words   |  4 PagesCaesar, two interesting forces, fate and free will, are shown competing for prominence over the other. Fate was exemplified in the many prophecies and omens the characters viewed throughout the play. Free will was the characters abilities to overcome and defeat their fate. Many characters have struggles with the power of their free will overcoming their fate, namely Caesar, Cassius, and Brutus. Although in the end all three of those characters succumb to their fate, Shakespeare shows that there is