Destiny plays a pretty big hand in the The Hero with a Thousand Faces, tapping the hero or heroine on the shoulder and showing him or her the path. But it's not all set down on shining steel rails.
The hero has to make choices, which determine his or her fate. And sometimes he or she makes the wrong one. Destiny won't be denied, but she can take a wrong turn here and there. Only by choosing wisely can the hero align his or her energies with fate and the universe.
Questions About Fate and Free Will
- How and where does the hero have a chance to exercise free will on the Journey?
- What are the consequences, both good and bad, of practicing free will?
- How does fate aid the hero in his or her quest? How does it hinder him or her?
- What is the ultimate purpose of fate in the Hero's Journey?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The hero must submit to fate in order to thrive.
Fate teaches the hero about his or her own potential, and in order to practice that potential, the hero needs to exercise free will.