Fate And Perseus Free Will In Homer's Odyssey

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Perseus is too strong to be kept down and on an island, so it is fitting that his fate is to go on adventures and quests and to be helped by gods. He fits the heroic model of an honorable man overcoming all obstacles to reunite his family and do justice. It is interesting to note that the story does not indicate whether fate or Zeus guided Perseus's box to the island. As in the Creation of Earth, the reader must wonder who is in charge. Is there a difference between fate and Zeus, and if so, what is that boundary? Who controls Zeus's fate? To the extent that Zeus does help Perseus, the story also illustrates the benefits that come with honorable behavior. Zeus, Hermes, and Athena all help Perseus at critical moments, allowing him to successfully complete his missions. Perseus, of course, contributes to his own success as well. …show more content…
These distinct characters, sharing one eye, all shades of gray; the past, present and future. Moreover, when Perseus actually defeats them, the story underscores the recurring theme of human cleverness, and perhaps links to the fact that we take control of our own fate. Though in contrast, he did end up killing his grandfather as the prophecy suggested, which strengthens the argument that one cannot escape fate’s plan. Perseus, of course, stands as a premiere example of Greek heroism. He overcomes all obstacles to defend his family and exact revenge. He proves honorable and valiant, calm and clever. As he fights for his mother's respect and hopes for his estranged father's love, he values family and loyalty above all