“…the lottery of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.” (Merchant of Venice.2.1)
Tips for Use. A statement of philosophical resignation to events or occurrences on which we have no control. Also a usually acceptable formula to somewhat exempt yourself from your actions or responsibilities. Or indicate that the choices you made were inevitable. Even usable during an interview especially when the interviewer insists on delving one or more parts of your curriculum.
In Greek mythology the Moirae were the goddesses of fate who represented… the inescapable destiny of man. They assigned to every person his or her fate or share in the scheme of things. In fact their name means “parts” or”shares” or “alotted portions.” Their boss was Zeus in this instances designed as Moiragetes, the god of fate. There were (3) Moirae, Klotho, the ‘spinner’, who accordingly spinned the thread of life.
Lakhesis, meaning the “Apportioner of Lots”—that is she measured the thread of life spinned by her sister. Atropos meaning “she who cannot be turned,” cut the thread of life.
At the birth of a man, the Moirae spinned out the thread of his future life, followed his steps, and directed the consequences of his actions according to the counsel of the gods. However, to account for at least a measure of freedom, the fate was not completely inflexible. If he chose, Zeus had the power of saving even those who were already on the point of being seized by their fate. The Fates did not abruptly interfere in human affairs but were influenced by intermediate causes, and determined the lot of mortals not absolutely, but only conditionally. Even man himself, in his freedom was allowed to exercise a certain influence upon them.
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In the play. The destiny that cannot be avoided belongs to Portia who, by paternal decree, must marry that suitor who will accurately resolve an enigma or puzzle designed and engineered by her father. The quote is her answer to the advances of the Prince of Morocco.
original image http://blog.redfin.com/sfbay/2008/03/that_popular_acronym_in_san_francisco_-_tic_.html