Ransom and Invictus Essay

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Prompt:
It is fate, not human agency which helps characters overcome their struggles. Discuss.

Fate is believed to control many aspects of one’s life, but the ones who overcome adversity and achieve success are those who take advantage of fate and recognise that they also have power to control their futures. David Malouf’s “Ransom” and Clint Eastwood’s “Invictus”, suggest that fate drives a person’s life to an extent, usually, but when one acquires said power, human agency prevails over fate. “Ransom” highlights the fate Gods create for humans and how this is unpreventable. Similarly, “Invictus” focuses on the unpreventable aspect of fate despite the people who wish it away. Moreover, both texts emphasise the idea of human agency triumphing over fate when the right opportunity presents itself and the individual considers their own will and therefore gives that individual more control over their destiny.
Both Malouf and Eastwood demonstrate how fate coerces one into a certain future and how it places setbacks in the way to prepare the individual for their destiny. In “Ransom” and hence, the Ancient Greek and Trojan times, Gods and Goddesses were believed to rule over every life. Malouf utilises this idea and takes the Gods as symbols of fate, or rather, deciders of fate. Priam from the beginning of the book is prompted by the Gods to take certain directions in his life. Iris, the Goddess of messages, takes into Priam’s environment and encourages him to retrieve Hector’s corpse and go on a journey of “chance”. Malouf suggests the Goddess acts as a worker for fate, she prompts Priam on an adventure he was destined to take. Priam exhibits trust in fate when Hecuba questions if his “grey hairs” will protect him, Priam replies “but the Gods might”. Already, Malouf is giving the Gods, or fate, the role of determining how the future will eventuate, and Priam pays no heed to what Hecuba or the council warn him of - he allows fate to guide him. Priam continues to display this faith stating he will succeed in his journey only if it “was [the Gods’] intention, [that he] get there”. This further suggests that fate will ensure and even support an individual to fill their destiny regardless of any hindrances. Additionally, the rejuvenation of Hector’s body implies that Priam was in fact fated to take this journey, if not for himself, but for the Gods who want to show disapproval to Achilles’ actions. Similarly, in “Invictus”, Eastwood emphasises the strength of fate and how it overpowers those who wish against it. Mandela is destined to be leader. This can be seen in his early rise to action, his progression from youth activist to the president of racially segregated South Africa. Although Mandela has encountered endless setbacks, fate has allowed him and maybe even given him strength to persevere and fill this role of presidency, one that fate held vacant for him. Though prison was intended to supress his desire for equality, it shaped him into an accepting and compassionate leader. Even when Mandela became president, the Afrikaners questioned if “he [could] run a country, “ Mandela used their doubt to motivate him to become a leader fit for all of the nation. Eastwood not only presents fate to be overarching but even depicts its opposition as being part of fate’s plan. Like the Gods inducing Priam to take the journey of “chance”, fate led and even fashioned Mandela to fill his role as president. Whilst “Ransom” conveys that fate will triumph over its doubters, “Invictus” suggests these competitors are of fate’s plan, and are placed there to mould the individual into what fate wants so they are suited to the role that fate holds for them.
Although fate rules to a large degree, when the opportunity arises, one can take over from fate, and gain more control over their destiny. In “Ransom”, Priam is prompted and led through his journey by different Gods like Hermes and Iris who act as servants of fate. Malouf describes Iris’ appearance as “dreamlike” and “fluid” which symbolises this tear in the fabric of reality, and fate overtly inducing Priam to follow their plans. Although Priam does take this message, he takes it upon himself to yield from this opportunity and experience the simple earthly joys like wadding in water and eating griddlecakes. These activities could have never been enjoyed whilst he was in his role of King, which is a predetermined and controlled position. Priam considers that “he is obliged… to think of the King’s sacred body”. The word “obliged allows Malouf to put into perspective just how a King is coerced to act in the limits of programmed actions and etiquette; this in a way, is fate. Malouf further suggests that people can take advantage of moments that fate provides to allow one to have some control. Moreover, Malouf showcases the overruling of fate when Priam does not consider his sacred role but instead, chooses to go out in a “plain white robe”. Malouf presents the opportunity for Priam to choose and this further implies that everyone ultimately has a choice in their lives, but can only do so, when they notice the opportunity to. Alas, fate is only malleable to an extent. Priam’s death is fated, but even though he cannot change this aspect of fate, it does not render him powerless. Priam can choose to do what he wishes with his fate before that event. “Invictus” also conveys the message that fate has plans for all, but ultimately, one does have a degree of power to change these plans to an extent. Black South Africans were stuck in their miserable fate of being suppressed and subjugated at the hands of the National Party. It is Mandela who took the responsibility and decided “no one is invisible”. Eastwood exhibits the power of choice through Mandela choosing to interfere with the black South African’s fate, and change it for the better. Mandela took his chance when the opportunity arose as did Eunice when her interests outweighed her fate. Eunice as a maid is fated to a passive and uninfluential life. However, when Eunice notices she has a chance to voice her opinion and stand up for black South Africans, she does. Eastwood shows that even a dominantly submissive role can be broken by human agency, and Eunice demonstrates that. Although Priam’s role is grand, quite the opposite to Eunice’s, both texts convey that freewill have enough power to change fate, to an extent that is. “Ransom” focuses more on changing an individual’s fate through their own choices whilst “Invictus” emphasises the benefits human agency has on the wider community.
David Malouf’s “Ransom” and Clint Eastwood’s “Invictus” focus on the effects of human agency and fate in one’s life. The texts both connote that fate drives a person’s life, but put emphasis on the act of human choice which can eventually disarm fate’s path and in turn, give a greater degree of control to the individual. It is with this new found control, they can either alter their own or other’s destinies.