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Reflections on a Year of Reading Greek Literature

This year I have read: Greek Gods, Human Lives by Mary Lefkowitz; Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller; and Circe by Madeline Miller.

Each book has described the setting of Ancient Greece in its own distinct way. I have learned specifically about Mount Pelion in “Song Of Achilles” by Madeline Miller, I found out that It’s composed of a river with cool and mossy rocks on the bottom, with fishes that the book refers to as “loaches, vimbas, and perch”, that usually hide in muddy holes or quieter waters upstream when they are frightened. The summer is also described as harsh: “The sun bore down on me, hot and hard in the summer sky”. However, it also snows hard in the cold winter as well, to the point where the river would freeze, which was new to me, I wasn’t aware that Greece was a four-season country,  I had always assumed it didn’t snow, and it would just be a little bit cooler around the winter time.  Mount Pelion is also composed of several mountains.

I also became very aware of Greek history, which I had always been interested in, and also why I chose Greece in the first place. I have always been curious about Greek mythology and the reading/blog project was a perfect opportunity for me to begin learning. In “Greek Gods, Human Lives” by Mary Lefkowitz, I was surprised by her interpretation of the gods, I remember specifically learning about Zeus, and how he’s depicted as powerful but blunt and indifferent towards humans and their problems. In “Song Of Achilles”, the story talks about the Trojan War from the point of view of Patroclus, with the Trojan War itself beginning because of a Trojan Priest wanting to free his daughter from Agemmenon (The leader of the army). As a consequence of his refusal, Apollo sends a plague until Agemmemnon agrees to give back the hostage. As a result, Agamemnon is extremely upset with this, and he ends up taking one of Achilles’ dear friends.

In “Circe” by Madeline Miller, I learned about the different societal standards between men and women. I wasn’t able to read most of the book, however, I believe the story mentions issues with themes of misogyny, how many men are praised for the same things women are looked down on, and how women are seen as less significant just because of their gender regardless if they accomplish the same things as their male peers. Regarding cultural foods, in “Song Of Achilles”, there was a reoccurring theme with figs, with possible symbolic significance towards it. I believe the figs reflect Achilles and Patroclus’ relationship throughout the story.

In “Greek Gods, Human Lives”, I learned how you can use many of these mythological stories about the gods in your own life, and learn a lesson from each story. In “Song Of Achilles”, I learned how you shouldn’t let power blind you, and remember the significant connections you have had between the people you love before it’s too late. In “Circe”, I learned that you should never let other people drag you down, and always be confident in your ability to achieve incredible things to prove them wrong.

This project has opened my eyes to several things, I was able to fall in love with reading again, and this project was the push I needed to break that cycle of procrastination. I was also happy I could get creative with the posters that were assigned, I love drawing and I’m glad I had the opportunity to get in touch with my creative side. Overall, this project has taught me so much about myself and Greece, and how important it is to apply each lesson I read about in my own life.

Word Count: 603

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"See how quickly he made one a fool? That was what he desired most of all: to drive others into doubt, keep them wondering and fretting, stumbling behind his dancing feet."

Circe, Madeline Miller (96)

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"The hairs stood on the back of my neck. All who were wise feared the god Apollo’s wrath, silent as sunlight, deadly as plague."

Circe, Madeline Miller (81)

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"Day upon patient day, you must throw out your errors and begin again. So why did I not mind? Why did none of us mind?"

Circe, Madeline Miller (75)

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"My father’s words came slowly. That same numbness still masked his face. I understood with an odd jolt. He is afraid."

Circe, Madeline Miller (62)

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"His skin flared white. White as the fire’s heart, as purest, hottest coals. He stood, yet he kept on rising, as if he would tear a hole in the ceiling, in the earth’s crust, as if he would not cease until he scraped the stars."

Circe, Madeline Miller (58)

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"That is one thing gods and mortals share. When we are young, we think ourselves the first to have each feeling in the world."

Circe, Madine Miller (41)

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"I remembered his eyes as I had pleaded with him. I knew him well, and could read what was in them when he looked at me. Not a good enough reason."

Circe, Madeline Miller (35)

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"I had understood gods could bleed, but I had never seen it. He was one of the greatest of our kind, and the drops that fell from him were golden, smearing his back with a terrible beauty."

Circe, Madeline Miller (22)

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"Prometheus' sudden punishment was a sign, they said, that Zeus and his kind were moving against us at last. The Olympians would never be truly happy until they destroyed us utterly."

Circe, Madeline Miller (20)

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"Conditions, constrainment. These were novelties to my father, and gods love nothing more than a novelty."

Circe, Madeline Miller (10)

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Week 18 Blog

This week, I read pages 340-390 from the book "Song Of Achilles” by Madeline Miller.

The most important quote can be found on page 335: “I left you too long on Pelion. It has ruined you.” Here's why. This quote stems from Achilles' mother, Thetis, after seeing how he reacted towards Patroclus' death. For context, Thetis has always disliked Patroclus. She sees him as weak, and a disappointment compared to Achilles. To her, Patroclus is nothing but an obstacle that constantly just gets in Achilles' way, which interferes with her plan to make Achilles a god. The only way to make Achilles a god was for him to fight in the Trojan War and gain fame from it, which Patroclus was not supportive of throughout the story. This is why when Patroclus passes away, Thetis is incredibly satisfied with this outcome. She realizes that Pelion has taught Achilles that there is more to life than war, which is shown in interactions with Chiron at the beginning of the story, and his blossoming relationship with Patroclus.

I was furious when reading this line of the story. I simply can't understand how someone can be so cold about such a serious and heartbreaking situation. Thetis was incredibly cold and showed no remorse towards Patroclus' death. She knew how much he meant to Achilles, however she simply didn't care. I understand that she wants to see her son succeed in life and become the god he was meant to be, however, I don't understand why if it's fate, she shouldn't allow Patroclus to be in his life. Throughout the whole story, she has thrown soulless and petty remarks towards Achilles, and I thought she would change and evolve to become a better person in terms of emotional maturity. Overall, I have been incredibly immersed in this book with its numerous ups and downs and I'm sad that it's over.

Word Count: 317

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"You said that Chiron ruined him. You are a goddess, and cold, and know nothing. You are the one who ruined him. Look how he will be remembered now. Killing Hector, killing Troilus. For things he did cruelly in his grief."

Song Of Achilles, Madeline Miller - 386

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When they are gone, he slumps next to me, his face against my belly. My skin grows slippery under the steady fall of his tears.

Song Of Achilles, Madeline Miller - 372

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“There are no bargains between lions and men. I will kill you and eat you raw.”

Song Of Achilles, Madeline Miller (367)

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“I left you too long on Pelion. It has ruined you.”

Song Of Achilles, Madeline Miller (352)

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“He should have known better; I should have known. Those feet never stumbled, not once, in all the time I knew them.”

Song Of Achilles, Madeline Miller (343)