Final answer:
Atalanta's father left her in the woods due to a prophecy, reflecting a recurrent theme of fate and divine will in Greek mythology, rather than testing her survival skills or independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mythological character Atalanta's father left her alone in the woods because of a prophecy. When Atalanta was born, her father, who had desired a son, was disappointed and left her on a mountaintop to die. This act was not out of a want to test her survival skills, nor was it a direct disagreement with her desires, such as becoming a huntress, or a test of her independence. The decision was driven by the intrinsic cultural values and norms surrounding gender at the time, and the abandonment was rooted in the father's disillusionment with having a daughter instead of a son.
Role of Prophecy in Greek Myths
Prophecy often played a significant role in Greek mythology and influenced many pivotal decisions made by characters. For instance, prophecies foretold the fates of prominent figures like Achilles and Oedipus, shaping their life stories dramatically. Their tales, along with Atalanta's, echo the Greek narrative structure where individuals' lives are often ruled by the whims of the gods and the inescapable fate predestined for them.