The Root Cause of my Obsession with Greek Mythology- 'The Song of Achilles'

 When most people my age are asked about how they first came into contact with Greek mythology, their answers usually end up being Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson book series. But in my case, it's not that. And I don't necessarily mean this as a flex but what made me fall head over heels for the complex tapestry of Greek mythology is Madeline Miller's (absolutely brilliant writer, she is) 'The Song of Achilles.' And oh man oh man, the way that book is one of the most soul-crushing yet beautiful literary pieces to ever exist on this planet! It's the way you know that the story of Achilles, the famous Greek demi-god, is an absolute tragedy, yet Miller's story-writing skills make you pray to every form of divinity to not let it end so. And I think that's an elevated level of tragic experience to the readers in itself- to know how it ends, to know it's not actually rainbows and unicorns, yet (YET!!) to be forced to wish upon every dying star to save the epic love story of Achilles and Patroclus and give them a happy ending.

Now, I know the idea that Achilles and Patroclus were lovers is something much controversial today but every man to his own belief, right? Like come on, after Patroclus died, Achilles fought everyone, cutting a path through the Trojan army, enemy dead strewn in his wake, enough to clog a whole river. Canonically, Achilles' rage over Patroclus' death gave him the strength to defy the Fates and the ancient Greek gods and then after defeating Scamander, he marched on to end Hector who is a favourite among the Gods. Then bro went as far as asking for his' and Patroclus' ashes to be mingled together after his death. Even Plato (PLATO!) once wrote an analysis of their sexual relationship. He called them 'undeniable lovers'. He assigns Achilles the role of 'eromenos' and Patroclus the role of 'erastes'. Also, it's a fact in history that the Spartan men casually slept together so much so that the new brides were encouraged to cut their hair in order to ease soldiers more into heterosexuality. And of course, me being the utterly hopeless romantic I am, backed by all this factual information, believe that Achilles and Patroclus were miserably in love, dooming both their fates.

And isn't it so beautifully tragic for love to be the ultimate cause of your downfall?

You would understand what I mean if you have read this book. And if you haven't, I highly recommend that you do. Miller takes a new take on Homer's 'Illiad' and retells the story of Greece's greatest hero from the perspective of his dearest friend and lover, Patroclus. Achilles is often seen in history as a mere bully, invulnerable in every part except his heel. He is too arrogant and conceited over his greatness, being a half-god born to royalty. But Miller, in her book, shows that he is human too. She shows that despite being an absolute savage, he is capable of love like any other human is. And one of my own personal interpretations from the story is that Achilles' vulnerability was not actually his heel. It was love. And it was Patroclus. 

"I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world."

"He is half of my soul, as the poets say."

"'That is- your friend?' 'Philtatos', Achilles replied, sharply. Most beloved."

"The sorrow was so large it threatened to tear through my skin. When he died, all things swift and beautiful and bright would be buried with him."

How can you tell me that these lines aren't swoon-worthy? The way they are portrayed in this book- the love they share- it's epic. Devastatingly epic. It's one of a kind. Their love and their grief touch every single reader's heart. All of the songs in existence talk about Achilles' rage and how he lost control. He is villainized. He is dehumanized. But truly, wasn't his love the reason why Hector was brought to such a cruel end? Wasn't his grief that made him so vengeful? It wasn't his wounded pride that fuelled the fire in him. It was a broken heart. 'The Song of Achilles' helps us to truly understand this difference. Some might say that this is an inaccurate and romanticized retelling of the original story. Even though I would argue with you on the inaccurate part, I wouldn't on the romantic. Because it is. And I know that it is. And that's what has drawn me to it. That's what has made this one of my favourite books ever. And this book marked the beginning of my Greek mythology mania.

This book even made me sit down with The Illiad, an epic of eye-bleedingly long sentences and mind-boggling epithets and descriptions (which I do realise is why it's called an epic). And even in that, it's shown how Zeus (ZEUS!) had to interfere and stop a grieving and rageful Achilles lest he should destroy Troy before it was fated to fall. The sheer beauty of this tragedy is one that I carry within my heart, locked away in a place where only a few things have access to. That's how much this story has held me captive. Or rather, I should say, it haunts me, It haunts me but it's because I want it to haunt me for I love it very dearly. Writing this, I'm just a little bit too tempted to go back and re-read this book once more, even amid all the academic work I have at hand. And me, who knows the ending of Achilles' and Patroclus' story like the back of my hand, is just a little bit too tempted to wish for an alternate ending with the full knowledge that it would never happen.

So I end this rant of mine with one simple question- one from the book itself-

"Name one hero who was happy."