So What is George Lucas's View of "Fate" Anyway?

In the great mythologies of the past, there are two view of fate. One – epitomized by the Greeks – is that fate is an irresistible force which can not be messed with. This is generally dramatized by such tales as that of Oedipus: king is told that it is fate of his son to kill him, so he sends the son off to a far-off land, son grows up ignorant of his father, happens to cross the king’s path during a random journey, and kills him in self defense. i.e. Even though the king did everything possible to avoid fate, it appears that his own actions actually CAUSED fate to happen. The other view – seen more often in Hebrew literature – is that fate is a powerful tendency that can be overcome, but only concerted effort and/or prayer. For this, consider the tale of the Hebrew king (whose name evades me for the moment) who was told he would die within the year. He fasted and prayed and pleaded with God for more time. Finally, God relented and granted him a much longer life. But as a cost, he gave birth to among the worst kings of Israel in that time period.

(And yes, Seminarians, I know I am oversimplifying to the extreme in characterizing one side as "Greek" and the other as "Hebrew." Please let it go for the sake of discussion.)

So, with those two options in mind, I have to ask, "What is George Lucas's view of fate?"

Let’s start by examining Fate as seen in the Prequel Trilogy (episodes 1, 2, and 3). Anakin is found on the planet of Tatooine by two jedi. It is immediately pronounced by one of them that the boy is touched by Fate the one who is destined "to bring balance to the Force" despite sensing "much fear in him." (Cue ominous music, please!) Anakin is trained as a Jedi, and comes to have precognizant dreams about the death of his mother. He decides NOT to attempt to change anything. Finally, he arrives on Tatooine at the urging of Padme, and arrives to find his mother already dead. Rage, rage, rage. (More ominous music, please.) He marries Padme. Now he starts to have dreams about the death of Padme. He decides to do EVERYTHING in his power to avert fate. He embraces the darkside which leads to a confrontation, which finally causes the death of Padme. Case 1 shows that Fate will happen if you do nothing. Case 2 shows Fate will happen even if you do everything possible to avert it, and will even use your attempts to subvert it as a means to its own ends. Greek view.

What about the Original Trilogy (episodes 4, 5, and 6)? Luke is found on the planet of Tatooine by two droids, who bring him to "Old Ben" Kenobi. Bum-te-bum-te-bum. Death Star run where it is pronounced "The Force is strong with this one." (Cue ominous music, again.) Boom! Luke goes to Yoda for training, who warns him seriously about the Dark Side. He goes into the Dark Side cave, headstrong and defiantly bringing his weapons along, and comes across his first vision. He kills a phantasmal Darth Vader, who then is revealed to be himself. Now the "Fate" talk goes into high gear. He has visions of the suffering of Leia and Han, and he leaves Yoda to chase after them. But they do suffer. And Luke faces Vader who proclaims over and over again that it is Luke's "destiny" to fall. Fast-forward to the final film where Luke is now dressed in black (like Anakin was in 3 – dum-dum-duuuuuuuum). After a brief stint on Endor facing down well-armed teddy bears, he face Vader who talks more "destiny" and then the Emperor who notes that "everything has gone as I have foreseen." i.e. Luke is now deep into the pit of Fate and has no escape. And yet, he DOES escape. He makes a final choice and chooses to defy fate. He refuses to turn to the Dark Side. "So be it. Jedi." Hebrew view.

But that is NOT where it ends. Now the Emperor attacks Luke and almost kills him. Now Vader remembers the prophecy and kills the Emperor. Bringing "balance to the Force." If "balance" means only one living Jedi. Despite all of this, Vader/Anakin can not escape his ultimate fate. Greek view.

So what are we to make of this? Ultimately, is Star Wars a tale of irresistible Fate or the ability of the human spirit to overcome Fate? Or is it a story that shows Fate only applies to a few of us, but those to whom it does are doomed? What do you think?