Fate And Free Will In The Iliad

Since the beginning of time, people have put their fate into what they believe in. Whether it was a god, or a powerful object, it was customary for them to always have a answer to everything. The Egyptians relied on the gods for basic human necessities. Something as little as rain for the harvest so they have food. If it didn’t rain, they thought that they must of distressed the gods in some way and that was their punishment. The Norse’s believed in doppleganger gods. Gods such Oden and Thor were looked at as the most powerful of their gods and were worshiped. The Greeks were polytheistic. They beloved in many gods. Homer is able to show that The Iliad portrays fate and destiny as the supreme and ultimate force that is decided by each person's actions and decisions.
Goddess Athena says; “How can you want to snatch the man back from his wretched death. He’s mortal—his fate doomed him long ago.” (Homer, Iliad 22. 220-223) Athena is talking to her father- Zeus- about not saving Hector even though he favors him over Achilles. She reinstates the fact how the only thing stronger than Zeus, is fate and that he cannot save him from death. Hector from the beginning was supposed to die at the hand of Achilles and he knew it and didn't try to stop or save himself from the inevitable.(TRANSITION) “But Hector was forced by deadly Fate to stay right where he stood in front of Ilion, outside the Scaean Gate.” (Homer Iliad 22. 5-9) Homer shows that no god- not even Zeus- is more powerful thea fate or destiny itself and gods cannot intervine the