Fate and Freewill Poem

The Cloud of Fate

Peaceful wealth, or painful toil,
Chance of war, or civil broil,
'Tis not for man's feeble race
These to shun, or those embrace.
But that all-disposing Fate
Which presides o'er mortal state,
Where it listeth, casts its shroud
Of impenetrable cloud.

- _{Bacchylides (5th century B.C.)}

The poem talks of a “cloud” that penetrates everyone. What the clouds effect, is different to everyone. The poem gives examples of what the “cloud” does, like being born into wealth or of poverty, ones who are “exalted” or those who are “shunned”. Brutus was born into wealth and privilege therefore has access to Caesar and more importantly the people. Brutus is a perfect instrument in the conspirators plan to take down Caesar and convince the public of what they are doing is just. It might have just been fate that chose Brutus to take down Caesar.

Caesar is a very complex character. Just in the play people can have many different opinions about him. His power however, is unquestionable. In his life he is portrayed as a major influence of power, and his conquests and victories could be a direct effect of what he gained. But the poem suggests that fate is how he rose to power. The poem tells how the “cloud” or fate is the one that raises men to power and forces men to poverty. It could be fate that makes us who we are.

-Dr. Jones