The tragic theme of The Mayor of Casterbridge revolves around the inevitability of fate and the awareness with which we face our destiny, a theme essential to all significant tragedies. Many events that happen to Henchard, such as his unsuccessful attempt to speculate in grain futures and consequently ruin Farfrae, occur due to factors beyond his control, like weather changes. Henchard becomes a tragic character because he recognizes his own responsibility in taking on such ventures. As with all deep tragedies, we are left to question whether Henchard's fate is a consequence of his own choices or if it is influenced by what Hardy calls "Hap" [happenstance] or Chance in one of his notable poems.