# Fortune — The Consolation of Philosophy character guide > Fortune in The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Fortune Poured, Wanton Fortune **First appearance:** 0018-book-ii-the-vanity-of-fortune-s-gifts ## Snapshot The capricious goddess whose wheel raised Boethius high and now has cast him down, defended in her own voice as a dealer who owes nothing permanent. ## Who they are Fortune is the power whose gifts—riches, honor, friendship—Boethius mourns as if they were his own, though Philosophy insists they never were. She is described as a Siren whose pretended friendship entraps victims only to abandon them, and her very nature is caprice: she gives and takes away by right, not by cruelty. Her one honest service, Philosophy argues, is that when she reveals herself she distinguishes true friends from false. ## Relationships ### [Siren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/characters/siren) _psychological_ Fortune is often allegorically linked to the Sirens, representing deceptive allure and false promises that lead to downfall. ### [Boethius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/characters/boethius) _psychological_ Boethius laments Fortune's fickleness, viewing her as a capricious force that raised him high then cast him down. ### [Phoebe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/characters/phoebe) _social_ Phoebe, a Titaness associated with the moon, is mentioned alongside Fortune in allegorical contexts of celestial influence. ### [Phoebe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/characters/phoebe) _social_ Phoebe, a Titaness associated with the moon, is mentioned alongside Fortune in allegorical contexts of celestial influence. ### [Siren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/characters/siren) _psychological_ Fortune is often allegorically linked to the Sirens, representing deceptive allure and false promises that lead to downfall. ### [Boethius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/characters/boethius) _psychological_ Boethius laments Fortune's fickleness, viewing her as a capricious force that raised him high then cast him down. ## In the story ### [The Consolation of Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/the-consolation-of-philosophy) Personified as a fickle goddess whose nature is defended in the dialogue. ### [Book I: The Sorrows of Boethius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/book-i-the-sorrows-of-boethius) Referenced as inconstant and false, having abandoned Boethius in his time of need. ### [Song I: Boethius' Complaint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/song-i-boethius-complaint) Referenced as 'inconstant Fortune' who poured gifts but has now turned false. ### [Song V: Boethius’ Prayer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/song-v-boethius-prayer) Referenced as 'Wanton Fortune' who plays cruelly with mankind. ### [Book II: The Vanity of Fortune’s Gifts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/book-ii-the-vanity-of-fortune-s-gifts) Fortune is characterized as capricious, with the right to give and take away her gifts; her only service is to reveal her own nature. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/i) Fortune is discussed as a fickle and deceptive force whose nature is constant only in its mutability. ### [Song I: Fortune’s Malice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/song-i-fortune-s-malice) Depicted as wanton and malicious, reveling in her power to reverse human fortunes. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/ii) Fortune defends her nature, claiming she has the right to take back what she gave, and that Boethius should accept her mutability. ### [Song II: Man’s Covetousness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/song-ii-man-s-covetousness) Implied as the source of plenty, whose gifts fail to satisfy human greed. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/iii) Fortune is personified as having once caressed Boethius but now turning a jealous glance upon him. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/viii) Fortune is described as deceitful when good, truthful when ill, and her departure reveals true friends. ### [The Order of Providence and Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/vi) Fortune's role is discussed indirectly as part of the causal series that fate weaves, with all fortune ultimately being good. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/characters/fortune - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/characters