Iliad Books VII-IX

Throughout Homer’s epic, there seem to be countless references to fate. In Book VII, there is an allusion to Troy—“her doom is sealed” (line 465). On an individual level, Achilles knows there are two fates which he cannot escape (Book IX, line 499). The Argives and Trojans did not fight their destiny. They accepted it whole-heartedly and believed that since it was the will of the gods it must be for the best. These soldiers listen to the gods and follow their advice. Time and time again, someone gets offended and is ready to kill someone. He stops to listen to the gods and avoids making a fatal error.
This seems so foreign to me as an individual. Perhaps it’s because I like the idea that I am in control of my life. Each individual has the opportunity to select how he will live. Circumstances might influence the choice, but it still exists. A person can choose the action, but not the consequence. In sharp contrast, few seem to take responsibility for their actions. When you have no one to blame but yourself for your situation, it’s easy to become depressed. American culture also runs too quickly for a person to stop and listen to the gods.