In both of these stories, “Oedipus Rex” and “Beowulf” there are many various attitudes and representations of fate portrayed. These characters each showed “fate” by their experiences and ways of life throughout the stories. They also showed traits of leadership, dignity, and honor. The characters, “Oedipus” and “ Beowulf”, both show strong leadership qualities but are uniquely different in their ways of life and glory.
The Power of Fate in Oedipus Rex, Oedipus, the fated tragic hero of “Oedipus Rex”, is a complex character that, through slow realization, learns that one cannot escape fate. Throughout the tragedy, Oedipus’s attitude evolves from arrogance to humbleness as he learns to seek the truth and finds that fate is impossible to control. In the beginning of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is a strong, noble king in search of justice. Oedipus is both arrogant and ignorant of his future misfortune. “With the help of God, we shall be saved,” Oedipus says. However, Oedipus quickly becomes insulted when Teiresias, the blind prophet, accuses Oedipus of being “the pollution of this country.” Teiresias further questions Oedipus, “Who are your father and your mother? The truth of your parents’ curse will remove you from this land someday.” Oedipus becomes enraged with Teiresias and screams “Damnation take you! Out of this place! Out of my sight!” Oedipus does not want to accept the truth, however this was his fate. Fate cannot be predicted or prevented. This was Oedipus’ fate, and this is the “fate” that had to be accepted in his life.
The Essay on Oedipus Fate Vs Free Will
In Oedipus the King, one of Sophocles' most popular plays, Sophocles clearly depicts the Greek's popular belief that fate will control a man's life despite of man's free will. Man was free to choose and was ultimately held responsible for his own actions. Throughout Oedipus the King, the concept of fate and free will plays an integral part in Oedipus' destruction. Destined to marry his mother and ...
There are also the ideas of fate and courage portrayed throughout the story of Beowulf. The warriors believe that fate controls their lives and their beings. Beowulf, the ultimate hero, shows this trait throughout Grendel’s attack and also in his battle with Grendel’s mother after her attack on the hall of Heorot. He even tells Unferth, the boastful warrior, of his fate before defeating Grendel, when Beowulf says, “Fate often saves an undoomed man when his courage is good.”
Characters allow fate to influence them and how they go about doing things. But is it really fate or peoples will to do what they chose too? In this story, this is an idea that we have to think about. Is fate what brought Beowulf to prevail over Grendal? Or was this simply his will and power? The monster would have murdered again and again if Beowulf had not taken care of it. It was his bravery that saved the people from the monster. Beowulf was not supposed to win but out of his own free will he prevailed and saves the Geats. Although when Beowulf went against Grendal he relied on God for all the help and he killed the monster as God had meant for him to do. I feel that Beowulf does not allow fate to influence him. He simply “makes” fate on his side. Beowulf is an example of using both fate and free will to live out his life. He looks toward and thanks fate for everything but yet if he doesn’t agree with fate he looks toward his free will. If he wants something bad enough he will prevail and get what he wants. Everything that Beowulf gains is according to him by fate. He is ready to trust his life in fate. When he faces Grendal’s mother he says, ” I’d use no sword, no weapon, if this beast could be killed without it, crushed to death like Grendal.” This means Beowulf is not afraid to die for his cause and is though to be a hero because of his courage. He saved the city because he used his free will to kill the monster when he was the one who was supposed to die. Beowulf died because of fate but it was his free will that saved the city and the people. So Beowulf used both to prevail as a warrior and a king who was loved and feared by his people.
Both of these characters showed how fate had an influence on their lives. They both showed the courage and consequences from that “fate”. Fate truly played an important part in both of these stories.
The Essay on Fate or Free Will in Beowolf
... not supposed to win but out of his own free will he prevailed and saves the Geats ... prevail over Grendal? " The monster would have murdered again and again had not God, and the hero's courage, turned fate aside."(Pg56) Beowulf was ... beast could be killed without it, crushed to death like Grendal, gripped in my hands and torn limb from limb. But ...
