So Frequently Maligned

Sculpture of Fortuna, Vienna

I’ve always found stories of the goddess Fortuna to be incredibly complicated and reflective of how we, as humans, struggle with the ideas of luck, fortune, and fate. As a personification of these concepts, I think it says a lot about human nature that we often vilify her, calling her fickle and blind. But I’ve always liked Dante’s description of her, and every time I consider what constitutes fate or luck, I find myself returning to these lines, feeling more empowered and wanting to align myself with her necessary force.