1. FATE IN THE
ILIAD
Red figure pot, Rape of Cassandra 430
B.C.
A PHILOSOPHICAL OR LITERARY DEVICE?

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Aims:
To develop themes of fate in the Iliad.
Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Students will discuss the nature of fate.
Students will evaluate Homers use of fate in the Iliad.
Students will identify key passages & quotes to illustrate their opinions.
Students will discuss the exam questions from a past paper.

3. AN EXAM QUESTION TO CONSIDER:
• In the Iliad fate makes all the actions of
mortal and immortal characters pointless.
Discuss.

4. WHAT IS FATE?
• What is your definition of fate?
• Do you believe in fate?
• Can fate and freewill co-exist?
• Can fate and morality co-exist?
• If fate can be altered is it still fate?

5. • Zeus and
Hera,
Renaissance
statue.

6. FATE IN MYTHOLOGY
• In theory everyone believed that your fate was
controlled by the three weavers called ‘the fates’.
• You died when your thread was cut.
• You had an allotted fate and could not exceed it.
• Gods are bound by fate with the exception of Zeus
whose relationship is more complicated.

7. ZEUS AND FATE
• Book 4 lines 8-19 suggest Troy’s fate is not fixed.
• Zeus is goading his wife but if fate is totally fixed why
does it have an effect?
• Is this a literary device to create tension?
• If Zeus had made peace what other ‘fates’ would
have been broken?

8. • The Death of
Sarpedon, Red
Figure pot 550
B.C. by
Euphronius

9. ZEUS AND FATE 2
1. Zeus won’t intervene to protect his own son,
Sarpedon.
2. In Book 15 lines 62-70 Sarpedon’s fate is fixed.
3. However in Book 16 lines 434 – 440 Zeus debates
saving his life.
4. Zeus never actually changes a prophesised fate.

10. SOME KEY POINT IN BOOKS 1-6
• Zeus and Thetis Book 1 lines 522 – 528.
• The Greeks almost go home Book 2 line 156.
• Athene enforces fate Book 5 line 673.
• Hector and fate Book 6 lines 487- 494.
Find other 2 other examples in the text that you think
would help you answer the exam question.

11. SOME OF MY THOUGHTS ON FATE
IN HOMER
• Fate is immutable but we can choose how we met it.
• Zeus has the power to change fate but is aware that
the consequences are not worth it.
• Mortals always seem to act as if their fate can be
changed.
• There is no consistent depiction of fate.