Riders to the Sea

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Write about the Role of Fate in "Riders to the Sea."

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Write about the role of fate in “Riders to the Sea”. 

In Synge’s (1871-1909) “Riders to the Sea” (1904), fate plays a very important role. No matter what the characters do, they cannot escape their fate/destiny. In the play, the sea represents fate. The poor islanders depend on the sea for food and work, which is also their biggest enemy (the sea devours their lives). They cannot escape the sea/fate—they must go to the sea to catch fish or to trade. Fate is ever present in the play. 

Inevitable Fate and the Sea: The men of Maurya’s family are doomed/destined to die at sea. Her husband, father-in-law, and six sons all drown one by one. Even when Maurya begs her last son, Bartley, not to go to the sea, he has to go—because they need money to survive. Bartley expla

ins he must go, as no boats will go in two weeks or more. Bartley says:

“This is the one boat going for two weeks or beyond it.”

This line captures how powerful the sea/fate is against the islanders. They cannot escape fate.

Maurya’s Vision: Maurya’s vision of Michael’s ghost riding behind Bartley is another sign of fate. This is not just a vision—it is a warning that Bartley will die. And just as Maurya feared, Bartley drowns in the sea. It proves that fate has already decided his death. Fate did not protect him.

Acceptance: By the end of the play, Maurya accepts fate. She says,

“No man at all can be living for ever, and we must be satisfied.”

This shows that she knows no one can fight against fate. 

In short, fate is cruel and unstoppable in the play. The characters have no power to change their future, and the sea always wins in the end.

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John Millington Synge
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