Twenty-First Century Classicism in The Song of Achilles

Abstract

The myths and legends of Ancient Greece still captivate scholars and casual readers alike in the twenty-first century. They have been re-translated and re-published many times. In recent years, this has been happening from perspectives different from the usual. Using approaches from both adaptation studies and cultural history, this paper examines The Song of Achilles as an example of modern authors presenting the well-known stories of ancient Greece from new perspectives. In addition to understanding how mythology helps modern writers explore certain themes using existing mythology, this also helps to establish the novel’s place among the classicist texts of the Renaissance and the Neoclassical movement by its inspiration, themes, and purpose.