Free Will In The Iliad
The Iliad portrays fate and destiny as a superior and predominant force. It introduces the inquiry of who or what is truly accountable for mankind’s destiny, yet the answers are unclear. On many occasions, man has no control over his fate and destiny, but in other instances, a man's destiny exists as a result of his actions and decisions. There is an element of free will. Consequently, The Iliad exhibits that human beings sometimes control their fate.
In The Iliad the god's destiny is steered much like mortal's, except for one specific distinction. The supreme beings cannot die and therefore have no destiny. Immortal's lives are not judged because they will not die. The gods are can influence mortal's fate but not their own directly. In Book …show more content…
Now you’re destined for both an early death
And misery beyond compare.” (1. 437-439).
Achilles is predestined a short life, but later, in conformity with the premise that men control their fate by their own choices made by free will, Achilles decides on the short-lived life with glory over a long-lived without glory. A man's choice becomes his destiny. In Book XIX, Hera gives Achilles' horse a voice, and it says:
“This time we will save you, mighty Achilles,
This time- but your hour is near. We
Are not to blame, but a great god and strong Fate.
Nor was it slowness or slackness on our part
That allowed the Trojans to despoil Patroclus.
No, the best of gods, fair-haired Leto’s son,
Killed him in the front lines and gave Hector the glory.
As for us, we could outrun the West Wind,
Which men say is the swiftest, but it is your destiny
To be overpowered by a mortal and a god.” (19. 437-446) This statement is in alignment with the idea that men have no control of their own destinies and, in this case, Achilles will perish through no fault of theirs. Fate wills it. It is foretold that a man and a god will end to Achilles' life. In Book XXI, Achilles' refers to his own
In The Iliad the god's destiny is steered much like mortal's, except for one specific distinction. The supreme beings cannot die and therefore have no destiny. Immortal's lives are not judged because they will not die. The gods are can influence mortal's fate but not their own directly. In Book …show more content…
Now you’re destined for both an early death
And misery beyond compare.” (1. 437-439).
Achilles is predestined a short life, but later, in conformity with the premise that men control their fate by their own choices made by free will, Achilles decides on the short-lived life with glory over a long-lived without glory. A man's choice becomes his destiny. In Book XIX, Hera gives Achilles' horse a voice, and it says:
“This time we will save you, mighty Achilles,
This time- but your hour is near. We
Are not to blame, but a great god and strong Fate.
Nor was it slowness or slackness on our part
That allowed the Trojans to despoil Patroclus.
No, the best of gods, fair-haired Leto’s son,
Killed him in the front lines and gave Hector the glory.
As for us, we could outrun the West Wind,
Which men say is the swiftest, but it is your destiny
To be overpowered by a mortal and a god.” (19. 437-446) This statement is in alignment with the idea that men have no control of their own destinies and, in this case, Achilles will perish through no fault of theirs. Fate wills it. It is foretold that a man and a god will end to Achilles' life. In Book XXI, Achilles' refers to his own