The Iliad in the 21st Century
Classical Reinterpretations Between Homeric Epic and Fanfiction
Keywords:
Homer, Classical Reception Studies, FanfictionAbstract
This article examines the contemporary reception of Homer, as exemplified by Madeline Miller’s novel The Song of Achilles (2012) and fanfiction works based on the Iliad, with the aim of understanding what is distinctive about 21st-century engagements with classical texts. The theoretical framework draws on Charles Martindale’s Classical Reception studies, Julia Kristeva’s Intertextuality theory, and Alexandra Edwards’ research on fanfiction. Through an analysis of Miller’s novel and selected fanfiction, the study demonstrates the enduring public interest in classical culture and the rise of participatory culture, which actively interacts with the canon, keeping it perpetually relevant.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Carolina Ramos Henrique
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