Warrior Achilles In Miller's The Iliad

Although there are numerous takes on Homer’s, “The Iliad”, none of them seem to express the more vulnerable side of our Greek heroes quite as beautifully as Miller has. Miller’s novel, “The Song of Achilles”, is her take on Homer’s epic poem from Patroclus’ perspective (son of Menoetius, best friend of Achilles). I am yet to read “The Iliad” however this story was enjoyable despite my mediocre knowledge on it. In “The Song of Achilles”, Miller captures and expresses the human aspect of the great warrior Achilles by giving us glimpses of emotion and insecurity from the challenges he faces. We don’t really see this side to him as he is often characterised as being an almighty God-like warrior who does not fear anything. In other retellings of

There were quite a few wise gems in there such as about how “you can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature”. It made Patroclus' character feel even more exposed and vulnerable than he actually was, but that was to his advantage. His kind hearted and forgiving nature is communicated and you can’t really help developing affection for this boy in a world full of violence. Initially, he is quite meek and naïve, however he grows as a character and learns to defend himself and others such as how he promised that he would “kill [Agamemnon] if he had [raped Briseis]… killed him” P279. To aid in storytelling there is use of similes, metaphors and personification by Miller. For example, she describes how a girl’s eyes were “black pools … [that]… would drink [Patroclus] in” P251. This appealed to me as it made me engage and gave me a significantly better idea as to what was currently happening in the

He is unsure of his fate and would do anything in his power to execute Agamemnon to be the one and only mighty leader of the Greek army. In order to do this though, he needs time. Achilles is worried that he will run out of time and his legend will be lost, his name and legacy… faded and forgotten like footprints once present on a shore. In other versions of “The Iliad”, Achilles acts childishly and this one does not differ. One difference, however, is the way in which she has given reason and explanation to Achilles actions which sparked my empathy towards