Do you really have control of your future? All throughout history, people have struggled with the question of fate. In the Iliad this timeless question is woven all throughout the plot. Some characters, such as Achilles, hold on to the power to control their own fate. When Brises was taken from him, Achilles sent an appeal to 'god of gods,' in order in influence the outcome of the war. Furthermore, Achilles told the emissaries that he had 'two ways in which he may meet his end,' implying that he had a choice to determine his own fate. However, did Achilles really have the power to make a choice? Was there someone who knew what choice he would make all along? Was Achilles future, or, on an even bigger scale, the outcome of the whole Trojan War pre-determined, or did Achilles and the armies write their own destiny as they went along?
From the interactions of the gods in the beginning and middle sections of the book, a foundation for predestination is not set. Nothing suggests that the gods have always known/planned out the fate of the war. However, there are specific instances where the gods allow/influence a certain outcome to take place. For instance, Zeus listens to Thetis's appeal to allow the trojans to win. However, nothing suggests that Zeus had always intended/planned for the trojans to win. If anything, Zeus's subtle head nod and unenthusiastic response suggest otherwise. Moreover, the gods themselves act as if they can change fate. Hera and Athena make plans to aid the Achaians against Zeus' will. Their actions, despite the threat of serious consequences, suggest that even the gods are unaware of fate - like people, they can only make choices and hope that another god does not thwart their efforts.
Now, there is mention of The Fates, the supreme beings who either know or determine the fates of every person. In Homer's writing, The Fates establish some sort of order for the universe. They provide a hope for the characters that, even in all the chaos of the world, there is someone out there; someone watching out for us.
P.S. I commented on Amy's 'Today's Disscussion'
From what I've gathered in the last few books I don't believe Zeus has the power to alter fates. In fact, he has to use a scale to consult the fates before acting. In my personal opinion, if you count the 'Fates' as the supreme power, the Polytheistic culture in the iliad seems more Monotheistic. The 'gods' could be considered Angels and Arch Angels, and the fates, the one true God.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Folse