Book 20 - Zeus and Fate
At the beginning of book 20, Zeus assembles all the Gods and tells them is okay for them to interfere with the Trojan War, "Meanwhile all you others go down, whenever you may go among the Achains and Trojans and give help to either side, as your own pleasures direct you. For if we leave Achilleus alone to fight with the Trojans they will not even for a little hold off swift-footed Peleion. For even before now they would tremble whenever they saw him, and now when his heart is grieved and angered for his companion's death. I fear against destiny he may storm their fortress." (Line 20 - 30) When Zeus said, that made me wonder again if he is really in control, or there is this force stronger than him called Fate. It seems that all his actions need to be balanced out according to what fate wants. He is more of the guardian of fate making sure everything goes according to plan, instead of him writing and deciding people's destiny.
wow, these where my thoughts exactly, i strongly agree with you on that fact that Zeus has some form of uncertainty, and leaves me with more questions than answers.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think this is just another instance of Fate being shown as something that is more powerful than any of the gods. Despite Zeus initially doing his best to keep the gods from interfering the war, the sudden change of letting every do whatever they want shows just how pressing Fate must be over him. Despite having such immense power, Zeus and the other gods are time and time again shown to being held back by Fate, and not being able to do anything they want.
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