Fate and Free Will

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the concepts of fate and free will. It compares and contrasts three literary works with regards to fate and free will - the play, "No Exit" by Jean-Paul Sartre, "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov and the Greek play, "Oedipus Tyrannus" by Sophocles. The paper supports the thesis that attitudes towards the role of fate versus free will make an important change in societal attitudes.

From the Paper:

"When one examines the three pieces mentioned and considers the role of fate versus free will, a difference between historical perspectives begins to emerge. In the older tale, Oedipus Tyrannus, the main character can do little to prevent his destiny from occurring. In Lolita, tragic events resulting from fate drive the decisions (free will) of the character. We also learn that when a person claims they have no choice, there often is another choice. The perspective that there is no choice is in actuality, justification of the choice that the person has made. The more modern play, No Exit examines whether fate plays a role in the human condition at all, or whether we are all simply victims our own demise."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Nabokov, V. The Annotated Lolita. NY: Knopf Publishing Group. 1991.
• Sartre, Jean-Paul. No Exit and Three Other Plays. NY: Vintage International, 1976.
• Sophocles. Oedipus Tyrannus: A New Translation. Passages from Ancient Authors. Religion and Psychology: Some Studies. Criticism (Norton Critical Edition) NY: W.W. Norton & Co. Inc. 1970.

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