Throughout the history of surviving literature, the exploration of human destiny is a theme that authors return to again and again. Questions of whether humans can decide their own fate or if humanity is subjected to the whims of a higher power are asked as frequently now as much as the forefathers of literature did in their own time. Correspondingly, Homer’s The Iliad placed a significant focus on the Fates, the three immortal sisters who knit, measured, and cut the thread of life for each mortal. The course of fate and its fixed nature are internally conflicted in each of the major characters. Although both gods and humans are fully aware of fate and how they are subjected by it, neither the immortals nor mortals submit to fate entirely,
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Long before the events that sparked the Trojan War, when Priam and Hecuba born Paris, Paris was fated to be the downfall of Troy. In an attempt to avoid that disaster by sending off Paris, the royal couple unwittingly sealed their fate, for it was Paris’ shepherd-hood that placed him in the position of giving the golden apple. Although Priam and Hecuba most likely understood the confines of fate, they did not lie submissively by allowing the future downfall of their city-state to remain in the place he was fated to destroy. They logically knew that they could not prevent the prophecy from fulfilling, but at least they could enact some part of control by shipping Paris off. With all this background knowledge, Hector waged war on his foolish brother’s behalf and defended Troy with all his might. Andromache implores Hector to stay home and enjoy the remaining life of the city with family, but Hector would not have it. He insists that, yes, “the day will come for sacred Troy must die,” but he rather seize the moment and flight with the utmost courage to defend his nation and to claim glory. Moreover, he reiterates that “no one alive has ever escaped [fate]” since we are born with it, and Hector knows he must fight against the fated death of Troy. In his dying breaths, Hector does not beg Achilles’ for mercy like a spineless coward but rather reminds Achilles that his own fate will catch him soon
Long before the events that sparked the Trojan War, when Priam and Hecuba born Paris, Paris was fated to be the downfall of Troy. In an attempt to avoid that disaster by sending off Paris, the royal couple unwittingly sealed their fate, for it was Paris’ shepherd-hood that placed him in the position of giving the golden apple. Although Priam and Hecuba most likely understood the confines of fate, they did not lie submissively by allowing the future downfall of their city-state to remain in the place he was fated to destroy. They logically knew that they could not prevent the prophecy from fulfilling, but at least they could enact some part of control by shipping Paris off. With all this background knowledge, Hector waged war on his foolish brother’s behalf and defended Troy with all his might. Andromache implores Hector to stay home and enjoy the remaining life of the city with family, but Hector would not have it. He insists that, yes, “the day will come for sacred Troy must die,” but he rather seize the moment and flight with the utmost courage to defend his nation and to claim glory. Moreover, he reiterates that “no one alive has ever escaped [fate]” since we are born with it, and Hector knows he must fight against the fated death of Troy. In his dying breaths, Hector does not beg Achilles’ for mercy like a spineless coward but rather reminds Achilles that his own fate will catch him soon