The Iliad by Homer is one of the best books in classic literature. Its timeless appeal stems from the many themes it covers, from war to mortality to romance. And the concept of mortality plays a pivotal role in The Iliad.
The epic tale and startlingly original work of art has many translations and adaptations, depending on how people interpret Homer’s work. However, even the most faithful translations still demonstrate the unique charisma of the classic poem.
With that in mind, the many characters featured in The Iliad could have a different perspective regarding the Trojan War and the relationships depicted by Homer. So it’s no wonder that sometimes a new adaptation comes to light that can shake Homer purists to their core.
Such a book is The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, the author’s debut novel.
A modern twist on the story of Achilles
Whether it’s The Iliad or the movie Troy, Achilles isn’t the first character most people think about as one of the greatest lovers depicted in Greek mythology. Paris, Orpheus, and even Alcestis instead spring to mind.
But Achilles, as a romantic hero, poses an interesting question. Can a man, best described as a killing machine filled with anger, fit this role in any way?
This is what author Madeline Miller tries to answer.
The Song of Achilles looks at the protagonist from a different perspective. The author ventures past the antihero’s fury and lust for bloodshed to find the lover. This time, the narrative comes from the perspective of Patroclus.
Exiled to Phthia at the court of King Peleus, Patroclus falls in love with Achilles, a demigod by all standards. He’s faster, more beautiful, and superior in skill to all of his peers. Achilles is the son of King Peleus and sea nymph Thetis, Achilles’ mother.
Like many Greek heroes, Achilles studied under the famed centaur Chiron.
Although Achilles dons a superhuman persona, he responds in kind to Patroclus’s love. It’s a significant shift for a boy not long before promised to Helen.
Of course, Miller’s prose is more poetic, compared to Homer’s blunt approach, and does a lot to give credence to this captivating retelling of The Iliad.
But throughout the story, the author maintains the sense of impending doom and tragedy for the lovers. Achilles still knows his obligation to choose a short but glorious life in obscurity.
Everyone knows Achilles can’t return from Troy. The prophecy spoke of his death. Yet Patroclus dreads the idea of life after the death of Achilles. Only when Patroclus dies before Achilles does the reveal occur.
Achille’s nature is more than bloodshed and fury. However, he doesn’t believe in bargains between lions and men. Hence, Achilles dismisses Hector’s request for his body to return to his family.
Miller’s book still paints Achilles in a different light. The demigod is a son, father, husband to Briseis, and lover to Patroclus. The death of Patroclus is also the catalyst that causes Achilles to stop seeking reconciliation with King Agamemnon, despite the best efforts of Odysseus (hero of The Odyssey.)
Instead, he redirects his anger at Hector. Having killed Menelaus to save his brother Paris, Hector eventually faces Achilles, and it doesn’t end well.
And this is the recurring theme in The Song of Achilles. Like many men who lived for battle, something must motivate him. Miller postulates in this beautiful book that Achille’s romantic side and loss contributed heavily to his actions.
Unlike other versions of The Iliad, The Song of Achilles tells the legend of Achilles. It’s a slightly different perspective, yet it mainly focuses on the character and his trusted companion. The book doesn’t prioritize characters like Helen, Hector, Paris, etc.
In contrast, the movie Troy gave the ensemble cast relatively equal screen time and allowed little time for profound character development. This is where Miller masterfully switches gears and succeeds.
About the author
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, author Madeline Miller grew up mostly in New York and Philadelphia. She earned her MA and BA in Classic Literature at Brown University and spent many years teaching.
Her passion for Latin, Greek, and the classics allowed her to adapt classic texts to more modern stories. It took the author 10 years to thoroughly research and write The Song of Achilles. And while it’s rare for many authors to spend as much time on their first novel, the scholar’s homage speaks volumes.
The retelling of the Homeric ancient story fixes many of the issues that Greek stories have, including character development. Interestingly, Patroclus was the character who fascinated the author the most.
Miller saw that there was more to Achilles’s companion, an otherwise minor character in The Iliad.
Luckily, The Song of Achilles isn’t a one-off for the author. Miller’s second historical fiction novel, Circe, received much praise and is a New York Times bestseller. More focused on the Olympians, this novel analyzes the relationships between Greek Gods, Titans, and demigods.
Again, the character internality and development take center stage and give more depth to classic Greek myths. A TV adaptation was in the works at HBO Max, but it’s unclear if 2023 is finally the year that fans of Madeline Miller novels get their wish.
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FAQ
Is The Song of Achilles LGBT?
Given the love story between Patroclus and Achilles, The Song of Achilles falls in the LGBT fiction category. Although it still fits into Greek fantasy and other genres.
Why is The Song of Achilles controversial?
The Song of Achilles has some controversy attached. Not all readers appreciated themes of racism and child sexualization. However, it’s hard to call it a controversial piece considering the practices in the times of Ancient Greece and well-documented diversity in gender preference.
The book received mixed reviews in The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. But despite the controversy, the book won an Orange Prize for Fiction. This puts Miller in great company alongside the likes of Ann Patchett and Mary Renault.
Is The Song of Achilles inappropriate?
Whether The Song of Achilles is inappropriate is a matter of personal opinion. People who don’t appreciate LGBT themes may find it offensive. Others may believe young audiences shouldn’t read the book. Yet many classics approach similar subjects without being deemed inappropriate. It’s not more inappropriate what you can read at a Game of Thrones book club.
What is the meaning of the title, The Song of Achilles?
Homer’s Iliad has two alternate names – The Anger of Achilles and The Song of Troy. Madeline Miller combined the alternate names to create the title of her version of The Iliad, which focused on Patroclus and Achilles.
