Modern Mythology 2024
Literature Circle - Modern Myth
Looking at the relationships present in The Song of Achilles, I find it incredible how Madeline Miller creates depth through the characters’ interactions and how their connections with others are so apparent in their actions. Everyone has some type of tension or trauma associated with them; no one is spared from the harsh realities of life, which makes sense given the novel's setting. Even in the rare depictions of a healthy relationship, it seems that they are fated to tragedy. This theme of fate is explored through prophecy, first with Thetis and then with Achilles. It is not clearly defined whether Patroclus and Achilles are soulmates, though they seem to think so. But it is stated simply, definitely, that Achilles will either die young or die without honor. The scene that I will always remember when thinking about this book is placed right before everything seems to spiral downhill.
“His eyes opened. ‘Name one hero who was happy.’
I considered. Heracles went mad and killed his family; Theseus lost his bride and father; Jason’s children and new wife were murdered by his old; Bellerophon killed the Chimera but was crippled by the fall from Pegasus’ back.
‘You can’t.’ He was sitting up now, leaning forward.
‘I can’t.’
‘I know. They never let you be famous and happy.’ He lifted an eyebrow. ‘I’ll tell you a secret.’
‘Tell me.’ I loved it when he was like this.
‘I’m going to be the first.’ He took my palm and held it to his. ‘Swear it.’
‘Why me?’
‘Because you’re the reason. Swear it.’
‘I swear it,’ I said, lost in the high color of his cheeks, the flame in his eyes.
‘I swear it,’ he echoed.
We sat like that a moment, hands touching. He grinned.
‘I feel like I could eat the world raw.’”
In his childhood, Achilles said that he did not like to lie, but here, he is destined to break this oath. From then on, Thetis, Achilles, Patroclus, and us as readers, were burdened with the fact that there will never be a happy ending for him.
From the start, Patroclus understands his role in his father’s kingdom. His mother was only used to produce an heir, and her child, if not strong, was useless. Early on, we see as he develops an inferiority complex, stemming from Achilles himself. He sees his mother being discarded for not being good enough, and we can distinguish the lasting impact through how other people see him: by Achilles’s side, yet not good enough for him. Patroclus feels this way himself–throughout the novel, he is constantly reminded of the difference in their status. The reason why their relationship stands out to me is that while they are together, Achilles erases any thoughts of this inferiority before they can even appear. While everyone has their focus stolen by Achilles, he only has his sights set on Patroclus. This motif appears multiple times throughout their lifetimes: in Phthia during their childhood, in Scyros during their adolescence, and in Troy during their adulthood. It is precisely because of this that Achilles’s fate plays out the way that it does.
Separately from Patroclus’s perception of her, Thetis’s characterization is something that I’m conflicted about. Like Achilles, she was also burdened by a prophecy: it was known that her child would surpass his father. To me, it doesn’t make sense for a goddess that was forcibly restricted–meaning, forcibly raped and bound to a mortal–would do the same exact thing to her son. While she is set up as a source of fear, an obstacle to Achilles and Patroclus’s relationship, she still loved Achilles, or at least the fact that he was Aristos Achaion, best of the Greeks. But, her and Deidameia are direct parallels to the gods and Peleus. Just like Thetis was tied to Peleus and Achilles, her son was tied to Deidameia and Pyrrhus. For now, I can believe that Thetis used the one time she was controlled as a template for controlling her son’s life, which sets up the theme of generational trauma. Pyrrhus, who Thetis personally raised to become a figure of glory, also used sexual violence as a way to have power over others.
Although I chose to focus on Achilles, Patroclus, and Thetis, there are definitely more examples of interactions determining a character’s morals and/or personality. I briefly touched upon Deidameia and Pyrrhus, but we also have to consider Chrion, Odysseus, Briseis, Agamemnon, Hector, and how they have each affected each other and the characters already mentioned. In The Song of Achilles, Miller rebuilds the world of The Iliad and makes every line count. Each sentence has been written with care, and I can clearly see why this book has garnered so much praise. Next, I look forward to reading her latest novel, Circe, and returning to her reimagined world of the classic Greek myths.
From the start, Patroclus understands his role in his father’s kingdom. His mother was only used to produce an heir, and her child, if not strong, was useless. Early on, we see as he develops an inferiority complex, stemming from Achilles himself. He sees his mother being discarded for not being good enough, and we can distinguish the lasting impact through how other people see him: by Achilles’s side, yet not good enough for him. Patroclus feels this way himself–throughout the novel, he is constantly reminded of the difference in their status. The reason why their relationship stands out to me is that while they are together, Achilles erases any thoughts of this inferiority before they can even appear. While everyone has their focus stolen by Achilles, he only has his sights set on Patroclus. This motif appears multiple times throughout their lifetimes: in Phthia during their childhood, in Scyros during their adolescence, and in Troy during their adulthood. It is precisely because of this that Achilles’s fate plays out the way that it does.
Separately from Patroclus’s perception of her, Thetis’s characterization is something that I’m conflicted about. Like Achilles, she was also burdened by a prophecy: it was known that her child would surpass his father. To me, it doesn’t make sense for a goddess that was forcibly restricted–meaning, forcibly raped and bound to a mortal–would do the same exact thing to her son. While she is set up as a source of fear, an obstacle to Achilles and Patroclus’s relationship, she still loved Achilles, or at least the fact that he was Aristos Achaion, best of the Greeks. But, her and Deidameia are direct parallels to the gods and Peleus. Just like Thetis was tied to Peleus and Achilles, her son was tied to Deidameia and Pyrrhus. For now, I can believe that Thetis used the one time she was controlled as a template for controlling her son’s life, which sets up the theme of generational trauma. Pyrrhus, who Thetis personally raised to become a figure of glory, also used sexual violence as a way to have power over others.
Although I chose to focus on Achilles, Patroclus, and Thetis, there are definitely more examples of interactions determining a character’s morals and/or personality. I briefly touched upon Deidameia and Pyrrhus, but we also have to consider Chrion, Odysseus, Briseis, Agamemnon, Hector, and how they have each affected each other and the characters already mentioned. In The Song of Achilles, Miller rebuilds the world of The Iliad and makes every line count. Each sentence has been written with care, and I can clearly see why this book has garnered so much praise. Next, I look forward to reading her latest novel, Circe, and returning to her reimagined world of the classic Greek myths.
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