The Role Of Fate In Greek Mythology - 1288 Words

When we look at Greek Mythology we often run into the gods of that era. Sometimes they are merely backdrops to the human element of the story but in stories such as The Odyssey the gods play a prominent if not vital role to the central themes of the story. Fate has a place in the Greek world but is 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 is described as things that occur for an unknown reason that no one has any control over. However, in Greek Mythology fate simply does not just happen. The God’s create the fate and interfere to make things happen that might not otherwise hav†¦show more content†¦That was his free will. Some say that the gods knew Odysseus would not stay and that is why they decided to let him go. However, knowledge of an act doesn’t take away the fact that Odysseus chose himself. The gods took much of his life away and he had more reason than anyone to give up and say to himself, â€Å"This is my fate.† Ann, a critic of The Odyssey says, â€Å"Blaming the gods for your faults doesn’t always work, though. There’s a dif ference between having a fate and accepting your fate. The real heroes never give in.† (Ann par. 26) That difference, between having fate and accepting it, is free will. Once the gods have controlled the â€Å"fate† of certain people, the gods let the happenings take course. It is true that the gods interfere with the lives of the people, but that will never take away their free will. Zeus says it himself in the beginning of The Odyssey while talking to other gods upon Olympus, â€Å"My word how mortals take the gods to task! All their afflictions come from us, we hear. And what of their own failings?† (Homer 210) This statement by Zeus says that the people are indeed responsible for themselves and they have the ability to make their own choices. Regarding the same verse Torrey stated, â€Å"This makes it seem that while men don’t take responsibility in the Odyssey, the gods say they should...† (Philemon, par. 1) Zeus also gives us another good exam ple in that same speech. Here Zeus questionsShow MoreRelatedGreek Mythology : Fate And The Fates1609 Words   |  7 PagesThe concept of fate and the influence of gods on mortals’ lives are prominent aspects of Greek mythology. While the gods of Olympus are commonly presented as the primary manipulators of human lives, the Fates are the true creators of destiny. Gods may be able to affect human lives in monumental ways, but predetermined destiny and the Fates’ intentions ultimately reign. 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