Freedom Term paper

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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 poverty-stricken Thebes because of a great error made by Oedipus through his failed initiation. As a result of his failed initiation due to his character flaws, as well as, irrational and bad judgment, Oedipus follows his inevitable fate of the prediction of the oracle in which he would kill his father and marry his mother. For instance, Upon meeting the King of Thebes at the crossing of three roads, Oedipus s arrogance and temper results in the death of Oedipus's father, the King of Thebes. Furthermore, with his ignorance and irrationality, Oedipus is blinded by his ego and, as a result marries Jocasta, his mother, while passing through the City of Thebes. Last, because of Oedipus s lack of patience and blindness, two very major flaws of a hero, he is unable to listen to the words spoken by Tiresias, the blind prophet, and is ultimately condemned to his own prophetic and fateful demise all because of his failed initiation. In all, Oedipus is a damaged individual who fails initiatory progress at various levels and as a result lives his unfortunate fate. If he had noticed the flaws around him, his fate would have been fallible.

An additional tragedy written by Sophocles, Antigone, expresses the similar idea to the thesis that failed initiation through character flaws brings forth once fate. In general, Creon, Antigone's uncle, rebels against the gods and refuses to bury Polyneices because of his excessive pride, or hubris. He wants to support those who defend Thebes and, in return, disregard those who are against his city. However, this unwillingness to bury Polyneices obeys Creon's law...

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