The Song of Achilles

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

Write Your Own Homeric Simile

In this activity, students will write their own set of Homeric similes using a particular scene from the novel as inspiration.

Similar to a simile, a Homeric simile is an extended comparison that uses “like” or “as.” Based on the epic poet Homer, these extended similes are used liberally in epic poetry. Miller adapts this writing style in her novel, often using Homeric similes to expand upon a particular observation or feeling from the perspective of Patroclus.

Select a portion of the novel for this activity and develop your own set of Homeric similes for that particular scene.

• First, identify several Homeric similes in the text. Compile a list on the board or other display to create a shared bank of examples.
• Next, identify a passage that does not already possess much comparative language.
• Then, consider how you can enrich the scene with 2-3 Homeric similes.
• Finally, compose your own Homeric similes and share them with the class.

Teaching Suggestion: This activity encourages creative writing within the context of epic poetry. It might be beneficial to review a definition and examples of traditional similes with the class. This activity can be adapted as either group work, in-class individual work, or a take-home activity.

Differentiation Suggestion: For more advanced classes or those who would like to focus more time on writing, this activity can be expanded to create a separate dialogue with an additional 4-6 Homeric similes. For students who are more concrete thinkers and learners, you might provide a selection of Homeric similes for analysis or interpretation.

Paired Text Extension:

Now look at the following scene from Homer’s The Iliad; can you identify any Homeric similes? Imagine that you are tasked with writing an extension to this part of the text. Working in groups, develop a Homeric simile that would work in the passage below.

• Homer, The Iliad. Book VI

Teaching Suggestion: Based on the class level, this activity could be completed in small groups followed by sharing the similes aloud.