The+Fault+is+in+Our+Eyes-+Fate+Essay

I t’s never our fault is it? It’s always the weather, God, our family or our friends. There are few people who will ever take blame in this world, similar to the few who will stand up and decide their own fate. Isn’t it human nature to want to lie and scamper away from all responsibility? Imagine all that power in our hands… the power of fate. The power of being our own gods. The stars don’t control us and we aren’t simply sheeples that follow a herder. We are the voices of the world, and we are capable of more power than ever thought of. As G.K Chesterson said, “I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.” There are some obstacles that we cannot prevent from happening. We can’t prevent someone else from moving away, or for a loved one to past, but it is the choices afterwards that define who we are and the rest of our fate. I believe fate is like a loose flow chart. One thing may happen, but we can choose numerous amounts of ways to handle it. Each different way will send us down a different path. Fate does not control our emotions, actions or choices. We are in charge of our destinies. I also believe that our choices define our strength and character. Fate always plays an important part in most works and usually sets the weak characters from the strong. Ethan Frome blames the weather for his marriage issues, Antigone takes charge of her own life, although she admits it is predestined for her to pay for her family’s sins, and lastly, Cassius and Brutus use free will to their questionable choices which all contribute to their downfalls.

Ethan Frome proves to be a weak character by allowing himself to constantly blame others for his issues instead of accepting blame for himself. Edith Wharton analyzes determinism by exploring that Ethan feels determined by external forces, the environment, heredity, and others around him. He constantly blames his failure of a life on Zeena’s sickliness, his parents, and the frigid weather. Ethan constantly has the ability to change his life and take charge of his fate. Zeena chose to get rid of Mattie, and Mr. Hale chose not to pay Ethan. Ethan could have demanded that Mattie stay or gotten his money. However, Ethan always falls down whenever faced by an obstacle, which only results in regret and misery for him.

Antigone’s life also perished in misery, but she proves to be a strong, stubborn, and determined character whose personality also attributes to her death. Although Antigone believes her family to be cursed, she claims, “For thou chosed’st life, and I to die” (1.3.628). Antigone is given two destinies, she can either live or die. She demonstrates that she can still be in control of her own life. However, Antigone does take charge of her fate, but she proves to be brash and reactive as well. She may have strength, but many weaknesses that utterly lead to her demise. Ethan may be weak in ability to act, but Antigone is still weak in certain areas by not being able to accept blame for herself either.

Brutus follows Cassius to take charge of Rome’s fate, but his naivety leads him to a similar fate like Antigone and Ethan. Although he did have conflicting emotions about Caesar, he never would have acted upon them without Cassiuis’ manipulation techniques. Small seeds are left in Brutus’ head began to sprout and before he knew it, one of his best friends is murdered before him. Does he really seize control of his fate? I believe he subconsciously follows Cassius and began to believe he is doing the right thing. Brutus states “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more”(3.2.1555-1556). He tries to excuse the death of Caesar for the benefit of the people, but Caesar did help the people. He kills one of Rome’s beloved rulers and sent Rome into chaos. Did he honestly believe that Caesar would have destroyed Rome? Even if he did, he still brutally and dishonorably murders his friend. I believe Cassius has strong sway with Brutus and plants ideas in his mind that eventually take him over.

Antigone and Brutus both commit suicide, even though they fought against determinism. Ethan is stuck in a frozen hell because of his lack of strength and ability to do anything. Antigone’s weakness is from her fury and irrationality whereas Brutus fails from possibly making the wrong decision. It’s not just taking control of our lives that’s important, but making sure the right decisions are made and that our attitudes are not out of control. Everyone faces their own obstacles and follows their own journey full of rocks and turns. It is our attitudes, morals and choices that affect our lives. Fate simply throws things in our way and we either jump or fall. We are in charge of creating a great life or a terrible one. Our strength is best seen at our weakest points. I believe the eyes are the windows to our soul. Our eyes represent our character, choices, honesty, and personality. Most importantly, they represent our soul. So either close them and curl up in a corner, or open them and take charge of life. The fault is not in our stars, but in our eyes.