Freedom

             An Introspective Look on Fate and Initiation Concerning the Tragedies of Ancient Greece
             Is man free to mold his own destiny, or is he a mere thread on the spool of life the Fates, the three female deities of Greek Mythology, cut and control? Can, in fact, man determine his life and destiny based on his own free will through successful initiation or is he subject to the web of fate that is woven for him? The force, which controls the path of man, whether from fate or through successful transcending initiation, has been a long survived question that yet remains unanswered, but nevertheless, consists of many explanations. Through comprehensive analyses of the tragedies of ancient Greece of Oedipus the King, Antigone, and Medea, the protagonist consistently fails initiation and, as a result, forces fate to take control.
             Plato and Aristotle ultimately believed that a positive world could not all be completely ruled by fate, and, in turn, both philosophers argued progressive life for individuals has to be undertaken through initiatory experiences. Therefore, in such transcending realm, man could not be held responsible for his actions mainly because not all men can achieve successful libations and transformations and thus initiation. The predominant idea of infallibility of fate, but rather praise of the success of plain initiation was supported by their fellow contemporary Greek philosophers and can be reversibly seen in the tragedies of ancient Greece such as Oedipus the King, Antigone, and Medea. In sum, the three unique plays demonstrate life as a beneficiary of initiation in which failed initiation through the characters flaws leads to the character's unfortunate fate and thus his downfall.
             Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles, intriguingly explains the theme of demise of the self through failed initiation and thus demonstrates the power of the predicted fate. In summary, Sophocles describes a famine, disease, and pove...

More Essays:

APA     MLA     Chicago
Freedom. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 05:46, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/30288.html