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.