These days, classics (specifically Greek mythology) seem to carry an air of enigma around them Littered with intriguing names; interwoven with hauteur; bedazzled with Gods, Greek mythology really gives you no option other than to fall in love with it. The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller provides us with the key to an accessible account of Greek mythology, as opposed to the triple-bolted pathway which one must undergo when reading the Iliad. Having graduated from Brown University with a BA and MA in Ancient Greek, before studying at Yale School of Drama, specifically with adapting classical tales to a modern audience, Madeline Miller has all the knowledge required to provide us with an intricate, though never pompous, novel. With its notorious reputation, it did not require much convincing for me to pick up this novel.
“And perhaps it is the greatest grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone.”
Patroclus, mighty in morals, though not quite so much in build, is the first character we have the pleasure of being introduced to. We instantly begin to laud Patroclus for his honesty. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder; as we dive deeper into the novel, the profusion of characters bubbling with hubris make us appreciate Patroclus even more. This seems a rather strategic move on Miller’s behalf, as by inviting us to retreat in the narrator, we simultaneously appreciate the beauty of her writing.
A shadow of self-doubt persists about Patroclus; during his years of adolescence he finds himself on the receiving end of his father’s reproach, as well as an oath to protect Helen of Troy. Following a series of unfortunate events, he finds himself exiled to Pthia by his father. Here, we are introduced to Achilles: the quintessential Greek Mythological Hero. Enviable; untouchable; and synonymous with bravura, he is lionised by all. The enigma and appeal of Achilles is brought to life for the readers, too. From the moment he is introduced, the readers are united with Patroclus in the common aim of learning more about Achilles. The beauty of this novel is that it is an adaptation, therefore, the readers are able to focus greatly on the gossamer of Madelline Miller’s writing, as opposed to having to guess what will occur next, and thus neglect the diaphanous beauty of the writing. However, this is a book of imagination, and, with the presence of Achilles, the former-tragedy grows veiled by the all-too-promising love story.
With no need to hone his skills, Achilles is prophesied to be the greatest warrior. As Achilles Patroclus grows better acquainted, their admiration for one another metamorphosizes into something beyond platonic, into one of dalliance, before being catapulted into an overt adoration for each other. With the same intensity that Patroclus strings behind Achilles, we are guided by Madeline Miller’s gold-tinted language as Achilles travels to be taught by Chiron, the centaur, and beyond.
Ahilles’ mother Thetis, the sea-nymph, is the physical embodiment of disapproval of their romance. Tinging it with her coarse outlook, she deems the relationship lewd and deviant. Through encouraging our hostility towards Thetis, Madeline Miller draws attention to our writhe at the prospect of Achilles and Patroclus being drawn apart.
The central plot circles around a tempestuous war. The catalyst for such war is the kidnapping of Helen of Troy. Called back to Pthia, Achilles and Patroclus learn of Helen’s kidnapping, where the young warrior’s fortitude is put to test: should he fight, he is granted eternal fame and honor, though he is guaranteed to face death following that of Hector (the trophy of the Trojan army). Should he not, however, choose to fight, he would face an impoverished future. Initially dubious to join the war effort, Achilles uses adventurous tactics to avoid involvement. However, and, I really hope this does not come as too much of a surprise to you, Achilles, being the Greatest Warrior Of Ancient Greek Mythology, is arrested by the prospect of eternal fame, galvanising him into taking action. Plagues; losses; community, the battle Achilles and Patroclus face will put all they have grown to know over the past years to test.
Madeline Miller brandishes her linguistic sworldplay at every turn, hitting her novel with the golden light it deserves. The author holds our emotions in the palm of her hands, evoking all the feels that an author would typically shy away from making their readers feel. Fervour; exasperation; heartbreak, the readers are truly given a glimpse into the gravity of the love this novel contains. In fact, hyperbole drives this novel, it presents itself at every opportunity, shunting the novel through to the next incendiary chapter. Each character is an intricate labyrinth - mapped out, by Madelline Miller, in an intriguingly baroque form; embedded with an overt fatal flaw. Balance strings together this refined novel; no two characters are burdened with the same fate, drawing them together in an antithetical form. Achilles exudes vanity, while Patroclus is sewn with demure. The great puppeteer, who goes by the name of fate, seems to be glaring, disapprovingly as the power falls from its palm to Maddelline Miller’s, who diverts the characters from their seemingly appointed path. Fate, who does not appreciate their power being questioned, imposes the harshest reckoning upon the characters, as well as the readers, who see their glorious land of Ancient Greece cast beneath the darkness of the final page.