Category: Fate

In 1995, there was a fantasy book by fantasy author Garth Nix called ‘Sabriel’, which tells the story of a student named Sabriel who was forced to venture into the magical Old Kingdom in order to find her missing father. In the book she says: “Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?”. In our society, there are many circumstances in life where it seems fate has carved out a path for the person, such as a family-inherited business or the school system. In the painting ‘Landscape with the Fall of Icarus’ and the scientific essay ‘Coming to Our Senses’, both literary works had shown that humans should view life as a way to set decisions to achieve whether or not they decide to ‘go with the flow’ or not. For the most part, people should make decisions for the present and future, even if it means to stay in the designated path already set for them.

To start off, in life people are expected to make decisions on their own. One such painting during the Renaissance period which shows that idea was named ‘Landscape with the Fall of Icarus’ by Pieter Breughel the Elder. In the bottom right corner of the painting, right below the image of the ship, there shows Icarus, small and insignificant, drowning helplessly in the sea. The reason Icarus is drowning all alone in the sea was because, based on the original myth, he felt confident and wanted the experience of freedom to fly high in the skies. Flying too high close to the sun results in the melting of Icarus’s wax-attached wings and led to him drowning at sea. Although Icarus had made a terrible decision which led to his death, his consequence was due to his own instantaneous decision. His failure, different from the many Greek myths, was not a punishment given from the Gods, but a mere decision made by a mortal. Although Icarus had made a terrible decision which led to his death, his consequence was due to his own instantaneous decision. His failure different from the many Greek myths was not a punishment given from the Gods but a mere decision made by a mortal. Although the ploughman’s work is most likely laid down by society, the ploughman looks to be working hard and not straying away from his work. In truth, he is doing his work for the sake of his survival and probably for his family. Showing that the ploughman is hardworking doing his job illustrates his care for his life and survival for himself and maybe his family at home. There are many situations in life where life sets the path and limits are set, but people can choose whether to follow the path or leave it if they desire.

In a scientific article entitled ‘Coming to Our Senses’, Neil deGrasse Tyson pointed out the idea of how humans are able to make decisions to help themselves for future needs. He stated: “Discovering new ways of knowing has always heralded new windows on the universe that tap into our growing list of nonbiological senses” (Tyson, 178-180). In other words, human evolution is only given a limited amount of senses; however, people also have the capacity to use their brains and come up with solutions that can help future people improve their range of senses like glasses and hearing aids. Looking at a scientific sense, the human body is limited to what it already has, but modern technology has shown that, throughout the history of sciences, people are able to bypass the human limits and make rational decisions to help future scientific problems. “Whenever this happens, a new level of majesty and complexity in the universe reveals itself to us, as though we were technologically evolving into super sentient beings, always coming to our senses” (Tyson, 180-183). With a high level of intelligence, humans are shown to be able to pass all other living beings through their unique skill to plan ahead and build processes for technological innovations to come. To live a fulfilling life, humans should do a mix of making decisions to live life at the moment but they should also plan ahead when dealing with bigger issues such as applying for jobs and car maintenance. Overall, people should view the world as a mixture of short-term and long-term decisions because that’s how evolution has made humans to become.

The dilemma of whether the path chooses the person or the person chooses the path reminds me of the time when my dad cut part of his job hours to dedicate to taking care of his parents, my paternal grandmother and grandfather. When I was around 10 days old, my grandpa suddenly was rushed into the hospital. After the hospital stay a few days later, my grandpa came out as half-paralyzed, with a high blood pressure, diabetes, and a multitude of other health symptoms that led him unable to work normally anymore. My family was very family-oriented believing in the Vietnamese tradition of giving respect to parents, so my dad decided to cut part of his job time to dedicate some of his time to become a caretaker for his grandparents. His caretaking job also gave him money which was also a bonus along with his regular job now part-time. Right now, my grandparents are in their nursing homes now because they’ve gotten too old, but my dad’s decision shows that even though life directs him to take care of his sick parents, he still does it because that is what he wants to do and what a good son should do.

After analyzing the quote from the book ‘Sabriel’ “Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?”, the correct answer is most likely both. Both choices have their separate pros and cons, but in short, humans should consider the path that they are given and also be able to make their own necessary decisions. People don’t have to follow the path; they could also view the path they are given like a hint or some kind of motivator to help them make decisions. Either way, the whole idea of human perspective is that everyone has their own motivations, and whether they decide to stick to the path or not solely depends on what they plan to do in the future.

Introduction

Fate is an idea that is as old as society itself. Destiny and free will are two mysterious threads that run through people’s lives. Philosophers, writers, and scholars have been interested in this topic for thousands of years. These writings try to explain the complicated relationship between the planned paths of our lives and the choices we make. Fate is often thought of as an unseen force that controls the world. This makes us think deeply about how much our actions are controlled by predetermined paths and how much they are controlled by our own free will. We will look at how this timeless theme shapes our understanding of life’s journey by looking at it from the point of view of history, literature, and current thoughts on fate. The idea of fate has been around for a long time, from the fatalistic views of old myths to the existential debates of today. It makes us think about the balance between accepting that some things will happen no matter what and taking control of our lives. As we explore these philosophical waters, these pieces hope to give readers a nuanced look at fate and make them think about the part it plays in the story of human experience.

100 Words Essay about fate

Fate is a mysterious force that decides how things will go. People from all times and countries have been interested in it. It stands for the idea that our lives are planned by forces we can’t see, who weave fate into the very fabric of our lives. This idea makes us think about the balance between fate and free will, and it makes us wonder how much power we really have over our lives. Fate has been a key theme in literature, philosophy, and religion for a very long time. It can comfort, make people give up, or make them rebel against the paths that have already been chosen. Last but not least, fate makes us think deeply about the mysteries of life and pushes us to find meaning in the unknown.

250 Words Essay about fate

We all have a deep-seated belief in fate, which is a key part of knowing our place in the universe. It makes me think of a planned sequence of events, like an invisible hand leading our lives toward a fate we can’t change. This essay goes into great detail about the many sides of fate, looking at its philosophical, cultural, and existential aspects.

Since ancient times, philosophers have thought about fate, which brings up the age-old question of free will versus destiny. The Greeks gave fate a face by creating the Moirai, three sisters who spun, measured, and cut the thread of life to show that fate can’t be avoided. In the same way, the idea of karma and fate are linked in Eastern beliefs. They both say that what we do has inevitable results that shape our future in a cycle of cause and effect.

In fiction, myths, and traditions, fate shows up as a way for people to try to make sense of the unfair and uncertain things that happen in life. For example, many of Shakespeare’s plays are based on cruel turns of fate that show how weak human hopes are against the forces of fate.

Existentially, fate forces people to find meaning and purpose within the limits of the paths they have already been given. It makes you think about what identity and freedom really mean, and it encourages you to accept the parts of your life you can’t change while accepting the times you can.

As a conclusion, I think fate is a complicated web of chance and necessity, a theme that runs through all of human history and society.

400 Words Essay about fate

The idea of fate is as old as human awareness itself. It has always interested and confused people, showing up in our histories, philosophies, and personal stories. In this 400-word article, I’ll try to look into the complicated sides of fate, which is often seen as a force that controls our lives and seems to have more power than our free will. Let’s look at the philosophical meanings, cultural images, and personal resonances of fate to better understand how important it has always been in the human story.

The philosophical argument about fate versus free will has been at the heart of all civilizations. In ancient Greek thought and mythology, fate was seen as an all-powerful force, and gods like the Moirai were used to represent how inevitable it was. Existentialism, on the other hand, says that people are free agents in a universe without set paths. It challenges the idea of fate by focusing on personal responsibility and the power to shape one’s own future. This conflict between determinism and liberty brings up a basic question about humanity: Are we the masters of our own fate or just players on a stage set by fate?

Culturally, fate has been a prolific theme in art, literature, and religion, embodying humanity’s quest to decipher the mysteries of existence. Literary works, from the tragedies of Shakespeare to the novels of Thomas Hardy, often grapple with fate’s role in shaping human affairs, highlighting its capacity to elevate narratives with a sense of inevitability and moral reckoning. In many world religions, fate is intertwined with the divine will, suggesting a cosmic order that guides the moral and existential dimensions of human life.

On a personal level, the concept of fate holds profound significance for individuals seeking to understand their place in the world. It confronts us with questions of purpose, destiny, and the meaning behind the events that unfold in our lives. For some, believing in fate provides comfort and a sense of order in the face of life’s chaos and unpredictability. For others, it serves as a challenge to assert their will against the odds, to carve out a destiny that reflects their aspirations and values.

In conclusion, fate remains a captivating and complex concept, embodying the tension between the forces that seem to govern our lives and our desire for agency and meaning. It prompts us to reflect on the nature of existence, the power of choice, and the mysteries that lie beyond our understanding.

500 Words Essay about fate

Fate is a mysterious idea that has fascinated philosophers and thinkers for thousands of years. It is at the center of our ideas about life, fate, and what free will really means. This article goes into the many sides of fate, looking at its philosophical roots, cultural expressions, and the inner reflection it causes, all while telling the story of how people have tried to understand the forces that affect their lives.

Philosophers argue about whether people have free will, which is at the heart of the fate argument. Determinism says that everything that happens, including what people do, is inevitable because of what has happened before. It says that our choices are just lies in a world where cause and effect rules everything. On the other hand, the idea of free will supports the idea that people can make different decisions in the same situations, defending their independence against the unchanging march of the universe. This conflict between determinism and autonomy is a good example of how hard it is for us to balance our sense of free will with the idea that some parts of our lives may be planned out by fate.

Throughout history, cultures around the world have grappled with the concept of fate, embedding it within their mythologies, religions, and artistic expressions. Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks and Romans, personified fate through figures like the Moirai and Parcae, who symbolized the inescapable destiny of gods and mortals alike. In Eastern philosophies, the idea of karma presents a nuanced understanding of fate as a dynamic interplay of actions and consequences, suggesting a moral dimension to the unfolding of destiny. These cultural narratives reflect a universal attempt to make sense of the unpredictability of life, offering frameworks through which to interpret the vicissitudes of fortune and the intricacies of human endeavor.

On a personal level, the notion of fate profoundly influences individual lives, shaping our perceptions of identity, purpose, and the meaning behind life’s serendipitous moments. For many, fate serves as a source of solace and existential grounding, providing a sense of belonging within the cosmic order. It reassures us that our lives unfold within a larger narrative, imbuing our experiences with significance beyond the immediate reality. Conversely, the concept of fate can also inspire resistance and resilience, as individuals strive to assert their will against the perceived predeterminations of their lives, challenging the boundaries of fate to forge their own destinies.

In contemporary society, the conversation around fate continues to evolve, intersecting with advances in science, technology, and our expanding understanding of the universe. Quantum physics, with its probabilistic nature, introduces new dimensions to the debate, suggesting a universe less deterministic than previously imagined. Meanwhile, genetic research reveals the ways in which our biological heritage shapes our predispositions, yet also highlights the role of environment and personal choices in determining our paths.

So, fate remains a compelling and complex concept, one that elicits deep philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal introspection. It challenges us to consider the balance between the forces that shape our existence and our capacity to navigate life’s uncertainties with agency and purpose.

“Just because everything is different doesn’t mean that anything has changed”. This quote by Irene Peter refers to the similarity of William Shakespeare’s famous tragedy play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (1597). It refers to how central matters noticed in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ would still be found in our modern world. Though the date and setting of the play are extremely different from our time and day now, the same complications still occur. This is explored through key issues seen in the play such as love and fate. The similarities between then and now create a sense of relevance and timelessness for the play.

Love is the most dominant theme used in Shakespeare’s play and is conveyed at the very beginning. During the Elizabethan era, it was considered foolish to marry for love, but rather who their parents selected were suitable. The parents arranged marriages, and the child was expected to oblige. Through the perspective of Romeo and Juliet, they share a compelling love that overrides all other aspects in life, including duties and responsibilities. However, it would later result in the loss of their entire families’ moral values and complete chaos. Romeo and Juliet’s forbidden love is a typical example of foolish young love. Though their love is forbidden and their families are rival enemies, that does not stop the star-crossed lovers. Still today we hear how powerful love can be and that people would not let anything come between their love for somebody. “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite” (Act 2, Scene 2). Juliet experiences love as a kind of freedom displayed through her choice of words such as ‘boundless’ and ‘infinite’. The similes used is to emphasize the amount of love Juliet has for Romeo by comparing it to very large concepts. “Parting is such sweet sorrow” (Act 2, Scene 2). Shakespeare expresses Juliet’s feelings through an oxymoron, comparing sweet and sorrow. The sorrow represents the deep sadness that Juliet experiences when saying goodbye to Romeo. Though the two parting leaves Juliet hurt, it also intensifies how much love she feels for Romeo and leaves them in anticipation to meet again, therefore that is the sweetness. “Love is heavy and light, bright and dark, hot and cold, sick and healthy, asleep and awake- its everything except what it is” (Act 1, Scene 1). Through this, we can interpret Romeo’s views upon love. Romeo experiences love as both good and bad, this is identified through his use of antonyms. He comes to the conclusion that it is everything except what people believe it is. The love Romeo and Juliet share relate to the present as young people are often susceptible to be influenced by strong emotions just as Romeo and Juliet are.

Fate is seen on multiple occasions throughout the play. In Shakespeare’s time, people believed that the course of their lives was determined by the alignment of the stars and anything that happened was planned. The word ‘coincidence’ was not used as everything was thought to have been preordained beforehand. “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life” (Prologue). Immediately from the prologue, we learn of Juliet and Romeo’s ill-fated destiny through the use of foreshadowing and celestial imagery. It is through circumstance that leads Juliet and Romeo to their destined fate. By chance, Benvolio and Romeo meet the same day as the Capulet’s house party and discuss love. If Benvolio had not convinced Romeo to attend the Capulet’s party, he never would have met Juliet. The scene before Romeo enters the Capulet’s house party, he has a premonition that would result in tragedy and his death. “I fear too early, for my mind misgives; Some consequence, yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin” (Act 1, Scene 4). Ironically, Romeo foreshadows his fate when he states that the consequence of his decision to attend is hanging in the stars, he reminds the viewer of the tragic fate that lays ahead of him. Shakespeare uses the recurring reference of the stars to correspond with one’s fate, fortune and destiny. After Romeo learns of Juliet’s death, he cries out: “Then I defy you, stars” (Act 5, Scene 1). In saying this, Romeo is declaring he denies fate and will test upon his own free will. Dramatic irony is used here since Romeo attempts to test fate, but instead actually ends up fulfilling it. For Romeo life without Juliet is a cruel fate. Romeo’s suicide provokes Juliet to kill herself because she cannot stand to live a life without Romeo. Untimely their tragic fate is attained. In modern society, fate does not apply to all aspects of life as fate is questioned by freewill. What would have been called fate or in the stars during the Elizabethan era would now be referred to as a mere coincidence or accident. Though society’s views upon fate may have differentiated from the past, that does not change that people still believe things happen for a reason. In the duration of the play the words used, motivate the audience to think about fate and predetermined actions.

Through the key issues of love and fate, we are able to further explore and gain a deeper understanding of Irene Peter’s quote. ‘Just because everything is different doesn’t mean that anything has changed’ relates to William Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and how significant issues seen in the play are still experienced today.