SOA Genres

Genres:

  • Historical fiction

  • Romance

  • Mythology

  • Coming-of-age (bildungsroman)


Major conflicts:

  • Character vs character

    • Patroclus (protagonist) vs. Thetis (antagonist)

  • Character vs society

    • Achilles vs male expectations

  • Character vs self

    • Patroclus vs his insecurities

  • Character vs supernatural

    • Thetis vs Patroclus


Types of Characters

  • Static: not changed

  • Dynamic: changes throughout the book, undergoes transformations

  • Flat: one trait charceristics thats constant

  • Round: multi faceted in depth since the beginning


Setting:

  • Components:

    • time: 1100 BC, Ancient Greece

    • location: Greece

    • social context: Mythology, war, patriarchal society

    • tone

  1. Phythia: tense, solitary, intimidated

  2. Mount Pelion: liberating, idyllic, peaceful

  3. Scyros: tense, sneaky, oppressed, challenging

  4. Aulis: desperate anticipatory, ominous

  5. Troy: tragic, relieved, grieved, exhausted, haunted


Symbolism:

  • The lyre: Inherited from Patroclus’s mother. It represents an alternative path to violence. It represents harmony, peace, and Achilles’ love for Patroclus, specifically when they play it together.

  • The ash spear + the armor: heavy burden of fame and the guilt that comes with war. Crafted specifically for Achilles, the armor and spear embody his destiny as the ultimate war machine, so basically his prophecy

  • The golden urn: Love transcending mortality and unity in the after life. It was created to hold both of their ashes. It represents the final merging of their lives and their unbreakable bond

  • The sea: Impending doom, relates to Thetis and her powers. Relates to the cold and dark surroundings that characterizes Thetis, as well as the impending danger of the war.

  • Rose quartz Chiron cave: unconditional love since rose quartz is widely known as a symbol for love


Hubris/Hamartia