Beyond the Binary: How Achilles and Patroclus Shatter Queer Stereotypes
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller reimagines one of the most famous Greek myths — Achilles, inviting readers to explore the nuanced portrayal of gender norms that both honours the myth's essence but also challenges the traditional perspective on queer relationships. After delving into various interpretations of this novel and analyses of it, I have realised that their relationship, despite being narrated in a modernised manner, is still perceived through the traditional lens of gender roles in a relationship. Many are adamant about fitting the two characters, Achilles and Patroclus, into a notion of a typical heterosexual relationship wherein Patroclus has feminine traits and Achilles embodies masculine ones. Categorizing the roles in this way, especially in modern times, is outdated for two reasons: one is that we are in the 21st century, where these roles are being challenged even in heterosexual relationships, and another is how conveniently we have associated bravery an
