Serendipity: Fate, Destiny

FATE: what happens to a particular person or thing, especially something final or negative, such as death or defeat  

DESTINY: the force that some people think controls what happens in the future, and which cannot be influenced by people.

  Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary.


 1 - What is the difference between Fate and Destiny, according to the definitions above. Do you agree with it?

 2 - Do you believe in Fate or Destiny? Explain it.

Read the following quotes about destiny and fate. In pairs, decide what they mean and if you agree with them. Taken from http://www.manifestyourpotential.com/life/game_of_life/fate_destiny/quotes_fate_and_destiny_famous.htm


Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.(Marcus Aurelius)

Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her. But once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.(Voltaire)

Men are not prisoners of Fate, but only prisoners of their own minds.(Franklin Roosevelt)

How a person masters his fate is more important than what his fate is.(Karls Wilhelm von Humboldt)

When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate.(Jung)

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. (Shakespeare) The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)  

Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved (William Jennins Bryan)  

Destiny is usually just around the corner. Like a thief, a hooker, or a lottery vendor: its three most common personifications. But what destiny does not do is home visits. You have to go for it. (Carlos Ruiz Zafon)


Watch the movie segment from the movie Serendipity and discuss the questions.







1. Describe the scene

2. Is the scene about Fate or Destiny? Explain it.

3. Do you believe this is a possible situation? Would you do anything if you were told that?

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - SERENDIPITY