Homeric and Hellenistic Epics and Tragedy are two genres distinct from one another in many ways. Tragedy is more compact than Epic, not wasting time on repetition or embellishments. They also differ in that the purpose of Tragedy is to show the downfall of great heroes and royalty, but Epic focused more on the heroic code and the glory of heroes. One of the things that both genres showcase though, is fate is important in everyone’s lives. Although Greek society’s ideals of heroes have changed from Epic to Tragedy, the role that fate plays in both types of poetry has stayed consistent. The genre of poetry written has no effect on how fate is represented in poetry. Fate is always unavoidable for the character, no matter if they are in an Epic
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The fate of the principle character stays inevitable though, as it does in Tragedy. The Odyssey is another poem about an individual’s journey home and fate intertwining into that journey. Odysseus’ fate is simply to return home to Ithaca and reclaim his right as King there. Many people and obstacles try to interfere with Odysseus completing his journey home, but his fate is decided and therefore must happen no matter what obstacles are placed in his way. While Odysseus is stuck on Calypso’s island, Hermes passes on a message to her from Zeus, saying: “For it has been decreed that he will not die here, far from his own people, but instead will return to his house and country and see his friends again.” (Homer, The Odyssey 5, 114-115). The fate of Odysseus is shown here through Zeus’ decree. Although this fate is being passed on through the word of a God instead of a prophecy, it is still fate that cannot be argued, which is why Odysseus is able to leave the island. Calypso’s island is one of the last stops on Odysseus’ long journey to return home. Although Calypso is clearly trying to prevent Odysseus from leaving her and the island, Hermes makes it clear that Odysseus will return home. His fate is to die amongst his own people, which means that whatever anyone else does to try and keep him away is pointless, he will make it home, however long it
The fate of the principle character stays inevitable though, as it does in Tragedy. The Odyssey is another poem about an individual’s journey home and fate intertwining into that journey. Odysseus’ fate is simply to return home to Ithaca and reclaim his right as King there. Many people and obstacles try to interfere with Odysseus completing his journey home, but his fate is decided and therefore must happen no matter what obstacles are placed in his way. While Odysseus is stuck on Calypso’s island, Hermes passes on a message to her from Zeus, saying: “For it has been decreed that he will not die here, far from his own people, but instead will return to his house and country and see his friends again.” (Homer, The Odyssey 5, 114-115). The fate of Odysseus is shown here through Zeus’ decree. Although this fate is being passed on through the word of a God instead of a prophecy, it is still fate that cannot be argued, which is why Odysseus is able to leave the island. Calypso’s island is one of the last stops on Odysseus’ long journey to return home. Although Calypso is clearly trying to prevent Odysseus from leaving her and the island, Hermes makes it clear that Odysseus will return home. His fate is to die amongst his own people, which means that whatever anyone else does to try and keep him away is pointless, he will make it home, however long it