The Wheel of Fortune

Boethius during the time of his book, Consolation of Philosophy, finds himself in the midst of ill fortune, and shows the reader that fortune does not always bring happiness, but can still be good. Lady Philosophy along her journey of showing what Fortune really is claims, “The fact of the matter is that ill fortune is better for men than good”(Boethius 57). Confused by this statement Lady Fortune throughout the novel shows how Fortune may not be good to you, but it can be good for you.

Lady Philosophy begins with the common perception of Fortune. Despite Fortune providing both good and bad times to the men who have spun her wheel, she is constantly given a negative stigmatism of being a taker. Lady Philosophy embodies the mindset of Fortune in Book 1 part 2 to explain to Boethius that his sorrow is not Fortune’s fault, rather it was his own reliance on her and her gifts by saying, “I gave you all kinds of affluence and luxury, whatever was in my power, and you took it as if it were your right. Now that I have taken it back, you ought to thank me for the use of what was always mine anyway rather than complain of the loss of what was never yours” (Boethius 31). When Fortune does take away, she is taking back what she once gave, however, men do not perceive this to be the case. Once given something they view that gift as now theirs and proceed to place all their happiness in that moment, but the inconsistency of fortune prevails, and once that item is gone men look to place the blame on the emptiness now consuming them. Fortune unfortunately is the one given the blame.

               Lady Philosophy never denies Fortune’s inconsistent ways, but she claims that when Fortune shows constant inconsistency is when she is the most beneficial to man. “The man who enjoys good fortune is driven frantic, running this way and that and trying to maintain what he has. The other is steady and, if he learns from his experience, even wise… When fortune is unkind, she draws men back to an understanding of what the world is like, and who their friends are.”(Boethius 57). Fortune has no control over how her wheel is spun for this is the way she was built. When Lady Philosophy takes on Fortune’s persona she describes “I have a wheel, and I turn it so that what is low is raised high and what is up is brought down. You ascend? Fine! But you must acknowledge that it can’t be wrong for you to have to descend again. (Boetius 32). Fortune is simply misunderstood in her intentions by humans because really, she has no intentions. She deals what is spun whether good or bad. Man’s belief in gaining authority over the gifts given by fortune sets themselves up for disappointment when it is taken away. Men are allowing themselves to be deceived by fortune. 

Finally, the full truth of Fortune is revealed for although she does give and take away, ultimately her works can be placed in good faith because she falls under God. Even though her taking can be perceived as a negative it is in fact not, because of the good that can be achieved through it. This conclusion is obtained because of the basis that fortune amongst everything else falls under God and because God is good despite fortune giving or taking it will have good end results. Lady Philosophy explains, “In God’s mind, even evils can have good uses, and by their careful application God can contrive a good result” (Boethius 138-139). Good fortune can easily be drawn back to God because overall God is good. However, it is in the tough times after ill fortune has struck that man finds himself looking for someone to blame, but Lady Philosophy shows that because of the overall goodness of God misfortune and evil can still be used by God to show good. Whether it is showing whom someone’s true friends are or taking the bad as the catalyst to something new and better, when happiness is placed in the hands of a constant good God and not the fickle hands of fortune man will not be deceived.

Boethius writes The Consolation of Philosophy because of the current misfortune he is experiencing, and he uses Lady Philosophy to help himself and the reader journey through the truth of fortune. Starting with her negative portrayal by the deceivable men, to her being misunderstood, to coming to the ultimate conclusion that placing happiness in God is what will make for continuous happiness despite a bad fortune.