Fate Versus Human Agency

Amanda Wright

February 24, 2016

Shakespeare II

Yeats

Fate Versus Human Agency

Do we have control over our own lives? Or are we all just part of some larger plan?  Fate versus free will, a debate that has left people pondering the influence of a divine power in their lives for centuries.  In Greek mythology, fate was referred to as the Moirai or Moerae, and was used largely as an attempt to apply logic and order to the universe.  Greeks saw destiny as something that was unstoppable and so incredibly inevitable that even someone as prevailing as the gods themselves could not escape their own destiny. (Zoompad's Blog)  Today there is an argument about fate between science and philosophy.  Many philosophers believe that free will is a figment of our imagination; no one has free will or ever will; rather the choices we make are either necessary outcomes of the events that have happened in the past or they are simply random. ("Science News)  Scientific researchers, on the other hand, found that most of the processes, such as breathing, moving, or eating, are automatic and are executed without much conscious awareness.  “Modern brain scans show that unconscious activity occurs a few seconds before the conscious activity arises in other areas of the brain. It appears that the subconscious mind decides first, even when we think we’re making a conscious choice.” (What Does Science Say about Fate, and How Can We Live with It?")  From ancient civilizations to much more modern philosophers, we are no closer to finding an answer to how much control we have over our destiny.  

William Shakespeare was among several authors of his time who tackled this argument between fate and freewill throughout a number of his plays, including the tragedy Julius Caesar.  Shakespeare was able to dramatize and bring to our attention the interaction of fate and free will through the lives of the main characters, Caesar, Cassius, and Brutus, whom all struggle with the power to overcome or succumb to their fate.  Shakespeare exhibited fate as undeniable and uncontrollable through the life of Julius Caesar.  While the role of Cassius and Brutus depict that of human agency and the ability to put your fate in your own hands.  Overall fate and freedom seem to maintain a delicate coexistence throughout the play that ultimately leads to one of the most famous assassination in history.

The play Julius Caesar, being based on historical events, allows the audience to be aware of Julius Caesar’s fate from the beginning.  This can cause some dramatic irony to arise, specifically, in regards to the bad omens that add suspense through out the play.  Julius Caesar himself seems to credit in the idea of fate, living out his fate as king, but throughout the play you can see his arrogance stop him from listening to signs and the advice from others, that ultimately led to his assassination, or his overall fate.

Julius Caesar emphasizes that one should not be afraid of their fate, as it is simply destined to be, and it is those who live in fear of taking chances that lose in the end.  “It seems to me most strange that men should fear, Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come”. (2.2.36-38) Caesar sees himself as god like and recognizes that becoming king of Rome was his destiny or fate. Although, it is ironic that someone who believes so much in fate lets his arrogance blind him from seeing obvious warning signs of his final fate.  

On three separate occasions, Caesar’s arrogance and concern for his public image blind him from realizing his fate.  Right away Caesar is warned of his nearing death from a Soothsayer, but fails to listen because he did not approve of the Soothsayers visual appearance.  “Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March, Caesar: He is a dreamer.  Let us leave him.” (1.2.27-28) He was even so ignorant that he taunted the soothsayer on the day of his death by indicating that the Soothsayer did not know what he was talking about in his warning.  Ironically, Caesar was unaware of what the day was to bring.  Caesar’s second warning comes from his wife, Calpurnia.  Calpurnia warns Caesar of her ominous dream that seems to be a prediction of Caesar’s violent death.  She urges Caesar to stay home, but his pride and his apprehension for self-image gets in the way and he refuses.  “What can be avoided Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods Yet Caesar shall go forth, for these predictions Are to the world in general as to Caesar.” (2.2.27-30) On his way to the capitol, Caesar gets his last warning sign.  A citizen, Artemidorus, hands Caesar a letter warning him about the conspirators and their plan to assassinate him. “Here will I stand till Caesar pass along.  And as a suitor will I give him this.  My heart laments that virtue cannot live Out of the teeth of emulation.  If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live; If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.”  (2.3.7-12).  Although, Caesar refuses to read the letter, saying Artemidorus personal concerns were the least of his priorities.  On several different occasions, Caesar is warned about going to the senate and his looming assassination, but his arrogance did not let him realize the warnings signs, ultimately allowing him to succumb to his destiny or fate.  

Unlike Caesar, the character of Cassius, believes that men have control over their lives, calling for a more self-possessed attitude, even up to his death. Cassius refuses to believe Caesar should be the ruler of Rome, he sees Caesar as unfit for the role.  Cassius resents the fact that Rome has come to worship Caesar as a god, and therefore Cassius believes that it is his free will and responsibility to take Caesar down from power.  In an attempt to convince Brutus to join the conspirators in the assassination of Caesar, Cassius emphasizes that Brutus is in control of his own life and he must take this responsibility into his own hands against Caesar. “Men at sometimes here masters of their fate.  The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” (1.2.145-147)