Gracie Kay Close- The Song of Achilles

 Almost every person I know has gone through some obsession on the topic of mythology. For me I really never understood the hype...BUT I did love the novel The Song of Achilles. For me when we discussed such in class it did take me a minute to make the connection. It did remind me though of the general story I read, and the particular discussion we had in class. President Kelley had joined in for this one, and we went over the societal interpretation of male relationships. 

In the Song of Achilles, Patroclus and Achilles are portrayed as lovers as Achilles embarks on his quest set upon him. Though his overwhelming sense of self took over at the end. What I enjoyed most about our class discussion as we talked about the relationship between them was the amazing connections such a concept was made in the book. Though is actual mythology it is never fully confirmed, the relationship between the two men is heavily interpreted as romantic. In the book Somewhere I Have Never Traveled, the topic of male bonding at its core is of competition. From there it evolves from such intense feelings, and for Patroclus and Achilles it did become more. That being said in class, I think it was important that we discussed how in today's society this male closeness does not always mean they are in love romantically. This is just a way of expression for men whether in love or just in love. 

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