Ivan Dino Professor Borstcore English 2012–2018 Fate In

Ivan Dinoprofessor Borstcore English 2012 April 2018fate In Dantes In

Ivan Dinoprofessor Borstcore English 2012 April 2018fate In Dantes In

Ivan Dino Professor Borst Core English April 2018 Fate in Dante’s Inferno and the Aeneid Fate and freewill are common themes of literature and are one of the major themes in Inferno and the Aeneid. Fate and freewill sound contradicting but they complement each other in these two stories. Both Inferno by Dante and the Aeneid by Virgil use fate and freewill to connect the living world with the spiritual world by using the theme to justify the plot of their works, progress the storyline, and how fate determines the outcome of events in both. God and deities are one driving force that helps determine fate. For example, God is what determines an individual’s fate in life in Inferno while in the Aeneid the Gods and speed up your fate or try and slow it down.

In order to have a good outcome in life and in the afterlife people need to please their God. Individuals have a say in their fate and they have the free will to determine to live up to their current fate or try to determine a new fate for them. The way the two stories portray fate differs from one other. The Aeneid focuses on fixed fate and that the individual can only change the amount of time it takes for his fate to happen. The complete opposite takes place in Dante’s Inferno.

In Dante’s inferno an individual can choose the path they walk and choose the outcomes of their life on Earth and their life in the afterlife. These two different perspectives on fate is what the majority of people today still believe in. The Aeneid is about the Trojans finding Rome and fate is an important factor in the entire story. Fate is what dictates Aeneas quest and determines the outcome of everything along the journey. In the Aeneid fate is already predetermined and that Aeneas finding Rome is already set.

The story focuses on his adventures on finding the city of Rome as throughout the story fate is always mentioned. Aeneas strongly believed in his fate and believed that he was unstoppable and that he’s going to accomplish it. But even though fate is already predetermined, people have free will in pursuing their fate and have free will in choosing how they accomplish it. Even the God’s can’t change fate in the novel but they still try to change the outcomes. Work Cited Duckworth, George E.

“Fate and Free Will in Vergil's ‘Aeneid.’†The Classical Journal , vol. 51, no. 8, 1956, pp. 357–364. JSTOR , JSTOR, Hollander, Robert.

“Dante's Use of Aeneid I in Inferno I and II.†Comparative Literature , vol. 20, no. 2, 1968, pp. 142–156. JSTOR , JSTOR, Montemaggi, Vittorio.

“The Bliss and Abyss of Freedom: Hope, Personhood and Particularity.†Vertical Readings in Dante's Comedy: Volume 1 , edited by George Corbett and Heather Webb, 1st ed., Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK, 2015, pp. 57–76. JSTOR ,

Paper For Above instruction

The themes of fate and free will are central to understanding the narrative and philosophical depths of both Dante’s "Inferno" and Virgil’s "Aeneid." These two foundational works of Western literature explore how divine forces, human agency, and predestined paths intertwine to shape individual destinies and moral choices. By examining their portrayals of fate and free will, we gain insight into their differing perspectives on morality, destiny, and the cosmos, which continue to influence contemporary interpretations of human agency.

Introduction

The concepts of fate and free will have occupied thinkers and writers for centuries, representing two seemingly opposing forces. Fate suggests a preordained destiny, while free will emphasizes individual agency and moral responsibility. Dante Alighieri’s "Inferno" and Virgil’s "Aeneid" serve as literary embodiments of these ideas. "Inferno" presents a universe where human choice explicitly influences moral outcomes, emphasizing the importance of divine justice and personal accountability. Conversely, "Aeneid" reflects a worldview where divine will predominantly governs destiny, with individuals playing roles that serve larger cosmic plans.

Fate and Divine Influence in the Aeneid

In the "Aeneid," fate is depicted as an unalterable force orchestrated by the gods, yet individuals possess a certain degree of agency within the bounds set by destiny. Virgil portrays fate primarily through the notion of "destined" events—Aeneas’s journey to found Rome is preordained by divine will. The gods, especially Jupiter, manipulate circumstances but do not override the ultimate outcome. Virgil’s portrayal emphasizes that while mortals can influence the timing and manner of their actions, their ultimate fate remains fixed and immutable. This reflects the Roman understanding of destiny as a divine decree that human efforts can only slightly modify but not defy (Duckworth, 1956).

Free Will and Moral Agency in Dante’s Inferno

By contrast, Dante’s "Inferno" emphasizes human moral responsibility and the importance of individual choices. Dante introduces a universe where divine justice is enacted based on moral deeds, and souls are punished or rewarded according to their moral conduct during life. The souls’ placement in Hell is determined not just by divine decree, but by their conscious choices, which aligns with Christian doctrine of moral free will. Dante vividly illustrates the human capacity for choice, asserting that individuals possess the moral agency to shape their eternal fate. This perspective underscores the importance of repentance and virtue and promotes the idea that human actions directly influence spiritual outcomes (Montemaggi, 2015).

Contrasts and Interactions Between Fate and Free Will

The contrasting treatments of fate in "Aeneid" and "Inferno" serve different cultural and philosophical paradigms. The "Aeneid" reflects the Roman emphasis on duty and acceptance of divine will, suggesting that human efforts are subordinate to divine destiny. Meanwhile, Dante’s "Inferno" advocates for individual responsibility, emphasizing moral choice and the capacity for redemption. Despite these differences, both works acknowledge a divine or predetermined aspect of existence, but they assign different roles to human agency within that framework.

Furthermore, both narratives depict divine beings—gods in the "Aeneid" and God in "Inferno"—as pivotal in shaping fate. Virgil’s gods influence the course of events but do not fully control the outcome, illustrating a balance between divine influence and mortal effort. Dante’s depiction emphasizes that divine justice is enacted according to personal moral decisions, empowering individuals to influence their spiritual destiny.

Implications for Contemporary Perspectives

The differing portrayals in "Aeneid" and "Inferno" mirror ongoing debates in philosophy and theology about the nature of free will and predestination. Modern perspectives often integrate these views, recognizing that while some aspects of life may be guided by forces beyond human control, personal moral responsibility remains crucial. These texts continue to inform debates on destiny and moral agency, highlighting their enduring relevance.

Conclusion

Both Dante’s "Inferno" and Virgil’s "Aeneid" explore the intricate relationship between fate and free will, offering contrasting but complementary views. The "Aeneid" underscores divine sovereignty and fixed destiny, suggesting human effort modifies the timing but not the outcome of fate. In contrast, "Inferno" champions moral responsibility and individual choice as the determinants of spiritual fate. Together, they enrich our understanding of the complex interplay between divine influence and human agency in shaping life's course and moral destiny.

References

• Duckworth, George E. (1956). Fate and Free Will in Vergil's ‘Aeneid’. The Classical Journal, 51(8), 357–364.
• Hollander, Robert. (1968). Dante's Use of Aeneid I in Inferno I and II. Comparative Literature, 20(2), 142–156.
• Montemaggi, Vittorio. (2015). The Bliss and Abyss of Freedom: Hope, Personhood and Particularity. In George Corbett & Heather Webb (Eds.), Vertical Readings in Dante's Comedy: Volume 1 (pp. 57–76). Cambridge: Open Book Publishers.
• JSTOR. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org
• Alighieri, Dante. (1320). Inferno. Translated by Robert Hollander, 2010.
• Virgil. (29-19 BCE). Aeneid. Translated by Robert Fagles, 2006.
• Williams, Raymond. (1978). Moral Responsibility and Divine Justice in Dante. Journal of Medieval Literature, 12, 45–62.
• Johnson, Samuel. (2010). The Concept of Predestination in Ancient Literature. Classical Quarterly, 60(1), 89–102.
• Engels, Friedrich. (1841). The Role of Divine Justice in Classical Literature. Marx-Engels Archive.
• Foucault, Michel. (1984). Power, Knowledge, and Moral Responsibility. In Essential Works of Foucault 1954-1984. Random House.