University of Mobile
Fate and the Gods:
The Unescapable Outcome
Jennifer Baugh
English 101
Professor Counselman
7 October 2018
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Abstract
The aim of this research study is to provide evidence to show that a mortal’s fate will always be
fulfilled even when the gods may show favoritism or give assistance in an effort to prolong the
inevitable. Homer portrays the cause of fate as coming from the gods. Zeus does have scales of
fate that he refers to on several occasions, and although evidence shows that the existence of fate
may be outside of the gods will, and that they are just the overseers of the fate. Mortals are keen
to the fact that their fate must be fulfilled and while they will take any assistance that comes their
way from the gods they are also not trying to run from their destiny either. In The Iliad it is
evident that mortals are plagued by fate and the gods play a huge part in fate being fulfilled just
as it is foretold.
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Outline
I. Thesis Statement: The gods serve as overseers of fate and intervene in the mortal’s
course of events whenever they feel necessary to ensure that fate’s outcome is
fulfilled.
II. Fate is an inescapable force
A. Zeus brings out the scales of fate