This clash of modern/Greek mythology is an expose not meant for the weak: sharing the best modern mythology and its evolution through media.
Myths grow like trees, deep rooted yet fighting to reach the sunlight above a forest. They follow nature’s law, survival of the fittest–only the most relevant (and strong) stories survive to get passed down.
Greek myths were passed down orally for generations before being written down. They grew, adapted, and survived to stay relevant.
In his novel “Norse Mythology”, Neil Gaiman explains how the number of Norse myths left are the same amount we have of Theseus and Heracles in Greek myths. Norse myths failed to stay relevant and most of the old stories died out. By reteling myths in games, books, movies, and so much more the myths we have left have survived.
Specifically, Greek mythology has grown in popularity over the years with many different media adaptations retelling old stories.
If you got this far, congratulations. You’ve made it further than the average reader.
“The Song of Achilles”
Madeline Miller is well known for her New York Times Bestseller “The Song of Achilles”, a young adult novel set before and during the Trojan War, focusing on the romantic relationship of Achilles and Patroclus.
The novel begins with Patroclus being sent to live in Phthia where he meets the young demigod, Prince Achilles, a boy who is destined to be the greatest warrior of his time. Though originally jealous of the boy with fast feet and golden hair, Patroclus grows fond of Achilles and becomes his right-hand man.
Eventually, Achilles is sent off to train with the centaur Chiron until war comes when Queen Helen is kidnapped by the prince of Troy. At 17, Achilles is thrust into a ten-year war, Patroclus follows, and they are forced to choose love, pride, and death.
Patroclus is a quiet and resilient character. He’s not weak but prefers to focus on healing rather than fighting in battle. He’s loyal to Achilles and knows when to do the right thing.
Achilles is a stunning, powerful demigod destined for fame. He’s well-liked and innocent with a divinity about him. He is willing to do what he thinks is morally right, but the fear of being forgotten changes him.
The novel is an Iliad retelling studied in the honors English classes of SHS until last year when the curriculum changed. This novel gave students a taste of classic literature with a modern spin.
“I thought it was a really important text because it was a missing piece to the curriculum that students didn’t get the point of view of,” expressed Andrew Kurnas, an English teacher who taught the novel, “The Iliad is incredibly relevant to today’s world and I’ve always found the Iliad has a meaning that can be deprived fully only when the Odyssey is its companion and vice versa. The Iliad has a definition that is somewhat different from a hero than what we get from the Odyssey and both were vital to the Greeks. It’s almost a competing view of heroism and masculinity you can’t get if you don’t have both.”
Kurnas describes the novel as “an updated take on the classic with the influence of how we live in our world now,” He explains he chose the book for honors classes because of this and it was generally well received. He goes on to say, “I also chose it because it was different and unique but also traditional at the same time so I thought it fit a goal of reading outside the traditional canon.”
The romantic relationship between Achilles and Patroclus has often been debated by historians. The romantic aspects and point of view sets it apart from other Iliad retellings.
The overt romance may change how some might view the original story. While many argue whether the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles is inherently queer, Miller shocks readers by explicitly introducing them as a couple.
“The point of view frames the plot and runs the risk of making assumptions about the sexuality of Achilles, but I don’t think it’s wrong to assume the nature and the bond they felt, “expressed Kurnas, “The Iliad is silent about this, it doesn’t say one thing one way or another. It wouldn’t have been uncommon for Greek men to be with Greek men in that era anyway. The only red flag would be ‘Why isn’t Achilles talking to a wife’ because, from what I understand, relationships with men would have been expected. Representationally, this is important to see, having interpretations of masculinity that vary and don’t fall into traditional stereotypes”
Having Patroclus as a narrator both humanizes Achilles and illustrates the concept “love is blind.” A once unsympathetic character is now portrayed in a new light. Miller’s choosing to remove many of Achilles’ unheroic actions also pushes this narrative.
Themes of corruption through war are beautifully written with Achilles becoming more monster than man.
The novel doesn’t shy away from acknowledging a love-hate view of Achilles. While his controversial actions are watered, it shows how our definition of a hero has changed over time.
The University of Cambridge: Facility of Classics explains how modern-day heroes have courage, selflessness, and physical strength or bravery. They’re seen as role models and show humanity’s sense of morality.
The ancient Greeks had different ideas of heroism. They still believed in strength and courage, but noble birth war, murder, and boasting were glorified.
While Achilles has character traits of ancient heroes, Patroclus shows a modern sense of morality when Achilles gains a slave girl, Briseis, who Patroclus protects throughout the novel.
Patroclus is a peacekeeper. He’s good with words and acts as the line that makes Achilles more human than god, ultimately keeping the Greeks together. While Briseis and Achilles never get along, their dynamic is interesting through the perspective of Patroclus, the common denominator who cares for them both.
“The Silence of the Girls”
Reading “The Silence of the Girls” by Pat Barker, especially after reading “The Song of Achilles”, will give any reader a new view of ancient Greece’s favorite hero.
“The Silence of the Girls” is a feminist retelling of the Iliad focusing on Briseis, a former Trojan queen and Achilles’ slave girl, after the Greek invasion. Briseis attempts to adapt to her new role. Throughout the novel, she looks for a future beyond the war but those hopes vanish when an argument between Agamemnon and Achilles occurs leaving Briseis in dismay yet again.
The novel covers realistic situations Trojan women faced, earning a mature rating, this is not appropriate for children or young teens. If sensitive to heavy topics, then more research on this book is recommended before beginning or gifting.
Briseis is a strong-willed girl forced into an impossible situation. While the Iliad focuses on the men fighting over pride, Briseis gives a voice to the women who suffered at the hands of men and war.
The dehumanization of the Trojan women is the main theme of the novel. Briseis feels unworthy, yet stays determined. While the novel doesn’t shy away from showing how slave women were objectified, it reinforces the human aspect.
One of the most jarring examples is when Trojan women and children are hiding from fast-approaching Greek invaders. The cries of Achilles can be heard from outside the castle and they know the end is near. Briseis makes eye contact with Ismene, a slave girl exploited by Briseis’ husband, and Ismene’s eyes seem to say “It’s your turn now. Let’s see how you like it.”
Barker makes a point to show that everything Briseis is about to experience is something common for people to experience in her kingdom. It’s cruelty she only realizes once it affects her. She acknowledges that “there is no kindness possible between owner and slave, only varying degrees of brutality.”
There is a focus on the women around Briseis though the reader never learns enough to get attached. Anecdotes of other women’s stories are shared resulting in a strong sense of community, but secondary characters have limited development. Briseis is observant and relays information as she sees it. She is not close to the other women, but appreciates their different viewpoints.
Some women choose to make a life for themselves with the Greeks while others still see them as the enemy. The Trojan women find solace in their community. When one girl is set free at the expense of another, they still support her since none have a choice in the matter.
The depictions of Achilles are both stunning and horrific.
He is said to be the most beautiful man alive yet the most violent, emotions are just “varying shades of anger.” He is described as animalistic and child-like, supporting the unheroic narrative.
Briseis and Patroclus have a complicated relationship. Their situations are similar yet incredibly different. Briseis expresses shame in being fond of Patroclus since he’s not an antagonist, nonetheless, he is a Greek who invaded Troy.
Described as Achilles’ second in command, Patroclus doesn’t act on the power he has leaving Briseis confused as to why a man in his position would care for a slave. It’s his relationship with Achilles that helps him understand and connect to Briseis.
Patroclus is always by Achilles’ side, but it isn’t a relationship of equals. While it is clear they had a close bond, the novel teases about a romantic involvement. It also states that Patroclus, like Briseis, was given to Achilles.
No matter who the author is, no one can successfully villainize Patroclus because he’s benevolent. He’s often seen with a modern sense of morality while acting as a link that keeps Achilles human. The novel does a beautiful job at portraying their relationship without labels and with the understanding that Achilles was a bad person but (romantic or platonic) the bond he has with Patroclus surpasses love.
This can be applied to the Greek word ‘Philla,’ a form of platonic love. According to Dictionary.com, Plato “thought that ‘philia’ was an even greater love than ‘eros’ and that the strongest loving relationships were ones where ‘philia’ led to ‘eros’: a ‘friends become lovers’ situation.”
It’s impossible not to talk about Achilles in a retelling of the Iliad, but it’s important to acknowledge the book is not meant to be centered around him. Barker gives a voice to women in an otherwise male-dominated narrative. This is contradicted by shifting points of view that focus on both him and Patroclus, leaving it hard to grasp what the author is trying to say. This may be because it is the first book in what is meant to be a trilogy.
Importance of point of view:
Changing the perspective of well-known stories opens the door for possibilities of new perspectives on classics.
Sherie Stauffer, SHS librarian, explained, “Reading two books about the same story told from different points of view can profoundly alter the reader’s experience.”
According to Cambridge University Press, the first-person narrative seen in these novels promotes empathy for the protagonist. The limited perspective can result in bias that affects how the story is viewed.
“In ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’, readers see the world through Huck’s eyes. They understand his motivations, thoughts, and feelings, which shape the narrative as adventurous, mischievous, and playful,” explained Stauffer, “In “James”, by Percival Everett, James may offer insights into Huck’s behavior that Huck himself doesn’t reveal. For instance, James might highlight traits like Huck’s impulsiveness or immaturity when Huck sees himself as heroic or clever, offering a contrasting interpretation of events. Huck can’t understand James’ experience as a black man in the South, but both characters seek freedom.”
“The Song of Achilles” and “The Silence of the Girls” easily shift the narrative and open the readers’ eyes to topics unseen in one novel that’s expanded on in the other.
Both novels are amazing retellings of the Iliad. Reading them individually makes it easier to sympathize with one character over the other, but reading one novel with the other in mind is a new experience.
Those who have read the Iliad will be left with a sense of dread for what is to come and to those who know nothing about this myth, buckle up and grab your tissues because it’s an intense emotional roller coaster. These novels are truly Greek Tragedies that will leave you itching for more.
