Free Will vs. Fate: An Existentialist interpretation of John Fowles The Magus

This paper attempts to render Nietzsche s Existentialist ideas of free will in John Fowles The Magus. After having a short introduction to two major Existentialist philosophers who laid the foundation of Existentialism, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, the focus is on the idea of fate and free will based on Nietzsche s Existentialism. Nietzsche believes that Man is free to make his own choices and is not bound by some external forces such as God s will, or any metaphysical power. Reading this paper, the readers are expected to get a comprehensive knowledge of existentialist fate, free will, as well as a new outlook to John Fowles The Magus. The study indicates how the protagonist s character, Nicholas Urfe, is developed by exercising the existentialist idea of free will. It is concluded that Nicholas maturity is achieved by his Existential view he holds through decision making and free will.

Keywords:

Existentialism , Nietzsche , Character , Fate , free will , John Fowles , The Magus