Fate Vs Freewill In The Odyssey

Philosophers and religious figures have debated on fate and freewill for centuries. Those who believe in fate accept this idea of Gods and Goddess’s predetermined destiny. Some philosopher turn to fate to explain why life events happen; giving reasoning to an unexplainable event. However, religious believers respond to fate as a universal aspect of human life. Fate allows an individual life to serve toward a higher power, a single insist in their lives will trigger a chain of events that will led to the predetermine outcome by God/ Goddess. One’s individual life is no long theirs; yet they are a pawn here to serve a higher power. Free will return power to the individual. According to Merriam- Webster Dictionary, the definition of freewill is

Although, the higher powers were spiteful, unstable, and brought destruction to the hero. Their negative attributes force them to make freewill decisions that will guide them toward becoming hospitable leaders. Only when unsatisfied did the Gods intervene. They used rage, passion, and concern to manipulate situations that will guide the hero back toward their set forth purpose. Odysseus was subject to many chaotic situation that were out of his control. The Gods used these situation to guide Odysseus to take responsible for his own fate. Due to his inability to display control and proper judgment he experienced many setbacks. A negative reaction from his current action. The Gods had to humanize Odysseus by showing him that strength and reasoning were powerless against their wrath. They were not acting out of anger, yet out of provoking behaviors. Odysseus invoked strong feelings among the Gods, he was subject to goodness; which was shown when receiving information on how to escape the Circe, as well as wrath which he received throughout most of the epic tale. As a religious respondent I believe that one’s purpose is predetermined. An individual enters the conscious world with a prearranged purpose, however they have the ability to choose how to fulfill this purpose. So even though Greek Mythology demonstrations higher powers as wrathful and vengeance; I believe that they are only acting in good faith. Gods of all knowing, so it is already predetermine what will happen in a given situation. Like parenting, they allow the mortal to make a mistake in hopes of becoming a better person. Although, the Odyssey does not display a direct resolute as a main character, Homer used a realist approach. Change is not easy we will make mistakes and go through trial and tribulations, but in the end growth will be an outcome. I believe Odysseus