The Myth
The Parcae were personifications of destiny. The Greek equivalent, Moerae, is derived from the Greek word moira, which means a part or portion, and by extension, one's portion in life or destiny. The Moerae were even feared by the gods, for the Moerae controlled their destiny also. The Moerae were depicted as three white-robed women, and were known as the Fates. The three fates were
Clotho: Spun the thread of life from her distaff onto her spindle.
Lachesis: Measured the thread of life with her rod.
Atropos: Which means 'inevitable' was the cutter of the thread of life, and also chose the means of a person's death.
Parcae in the Rennaisance
In Shakespear's play Macbeth, the three Fates are portrayed as the three wierd sisters, who played with the lives of mortals. "Double, Double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble".
Parcae in Modern Times
The myth of Parcae appears in many modern forms of media. The most common appearances are...
God of War 2 for Playstation 2: The Fates are depicted in this game as the main character, Kratos, seeks them to alter his destiny.
Hercules: In this Disney version of the classic myth, Hades calls on the Fates (who share only one eye between the three of them, how sick) to fortell the future in his attempt to overthrow the gods.
Stephen King's Insomnia: The Fates are portrayed in the form of three doctors who visit people at the end of their life to cut their thread.
Xena: Warrior Princess: has three recurring characters known as the Fates comprising of the the Maiden, Mother, and Crone, who control people's lives.
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer: a progressive rock group wrote a three part piece called 'The Three Fates.' They are respectivly named after the three Fates.