The Role Of Fate In Literature

In literature we see characters putting their outcomes, either successes or shortcomings as the result of the role of gods or goddesses. This may be done for a variety of reasons but probably to take the attention away from themselves so that they aren 't the center of attention. Authors see these ideas resonating in the culture so it is seen throughout many different works of the Hellenistic Period such as the Odyssey, Medea, and Oedipus. I believe that it’s truly the action of the character rather than anything that the gods are doing. Mankind’s outcomes are the result of their own actions rather than their fate that was decided upon by gods and goddesses. Throughout literature we see circumstances be the result of the gods or as authors call it, “fate”. This fate is something that the gods decide upon and this is set in stone. No matter what you do, there is no way to avoid your fate. This makes it seem like you actions are worthless and meaningless. The Greeks rely on the fate so much they have a belief that “character is fate.” This is trying to say your fate determines who you are, what you will do, and how you will reach your demise. Even though the Greeks believe heavily in their idea of fate, their actions are truly what create the ending that they claim is their fate. In the Hellenistic Period, we see this idea of actions being the cause rather than fate in Homer 's Odyssey (8th Century B.C.E.), Euripides ' Medea (480B.C.E.), and Sophocles ' Oedipus