Fate Vs Freewill: Which one Will You Choose

Fate vs. Freewill:

Which One Will You Choose?

In the tragic play, Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, a Roman leader is feared to abuse his power, resulting in his planned murder by very close friends, later leading to civil war for revenge. Shakespeare expresses countless themes throughout the play. One major theme he presented is that people are masters of their own fate.

One of the many examples illustrating people controlling their fates is when Cassius explains to Brutus how their fate isn't written in the star, "Men at the same time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars But in ourselves, that we are underlings."(18) In words, Cassius agrees that it is their choice to choose the outcome of their lives. He is also explaining that fate has nothing to do with it because it's not destiny but our decisions that control our fate. Cassius argues that they are choosing to 'underlings' because they don't take down Caesar as ruler. Another demonstration of this would be in the ending of one of his soliloquies in Act 2, Scene 1," And therefore think him as a serpent's egg--which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous--And kill him in the shell." Right then and there, it's made clear that Brutus has made his final decision. He committed himself into killing his dearest friend Caesar and he himself made that decision, therefore it couldn't have been fate.

Additionally, a second example in which the characters determine their own fate is when Julius Caesar is over and over again warned about his death, "Beware the ides of March."(10) This is said by the soothsayer to Caesar with good intentions. He isn't much appreciated thought because even though Caesar is receiving all these warnings about his life being in danger and he still prefers to be ignorant, which leads to his demise. Moreover, being ignorant and all, Caesar responds and dismisses the soothsayer in a rude manner, "He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass!"(10) If Caesar would have chosen to accepted and believe these warnings, he could have saved himself, but he let his pride and power get in his way. Furthermore, it was not destiny controlling his life, but his own decisions.

Likewise, a final example where the characters dominate their fate is in Act 2 Scene 2 in Caesar's discussion with Calpurnia," 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."(80) In this excerpt, Caesar clarifies to Calpurnia that yes, the gods have somewhat control over what can happen but he can still control what paths he takes. So he acknowledged his decisions, good or bad, and basically says 'well to bad, you only live once'. However, despite Caesar