#kupid tedtalk

[kupidachillea]

Telemachus: “You people have issues…”

Neoptolemus:”Well of course I have issues-!”

Neoptolemus pointing at Achilles: “THAT’S MY FREAKING FATHER!!”

[kupidachillea]

Achilles and Patroclus ramble

I’ve stated this a bunch of times before that I haven’t fully read the Iliad or much relating to it. I only really know what I’ve learned from school and then my own pitiful ‘studies’ as well as what I’ve seen online.

however- with that said. The dynamic and the amount of ways you can look at Achilles’ and Patroclus’ relationship is incredibly interesting. Like on one hand you can dive into the fact that they might’ve been lovers (or something similar please 😭). The amount of devotion Achilles had Patroclus and the way he treated him compared to others. The way he speaks about him. It’s endearing and in modern times we can choose to see it as such. I myself have grown to sort of like this version (though I like to just casually enjoy things and sorta see them as QPR). And then on the other hand we have their friendship. Which is probably the default most of us have been taught.

It’s beautiful in the way of their brotherhood and how close they are either platonic or romantic. And it’s fine to see them as either or both. How Patroclus placates Achilles most times and then famously Achilles’ rage once he finds out that the person dearest to his heart was killed. You sympathise with him sometimes. And honestly kudos to Homer for living it up to the reader’s interpretation. I mean- I’d flip out too if my companion or someone very beloved to me was literally killed in my place so to speak. So I find it beautiful in a way..I also sort of connect it in a sense that war isn’t fun and it reminds me of how my dad recounted his time in the army and how unfortunately someone close to him didn’t come back home.

I guess my point is that I love the beauty and intricacy of their relationship, friendship, and brotherhood. It’s so interesting and I like seeing people’s interpretation of it. Now matter how you look at it it’s plan and obvious that Achilles and Patroclus cared deeply for each other. I’m sure I’ll have a more in depth rant about this after I fully read the book but eh. That’s my two cents

[kupidachillea]

My only problem with retellings (mainly mythology based ones) is that the people who read them tend to take it all as fact. Not all, but majority. And then they have the nerve to argue with people that read the myths and say ‘actually you’re wrong- this didn’t happen’. Bruh. I have nothing against retellings but it shouldn’t be taken as fact- it’s a good introduction to the source material and a fun read because there are references to the original.

The main issue I see this with is Epic the Musical, The Song of Achilles and Percy Jackson books. I know the last two get dogged on a lot but for good reason. Percy Jackson is a good introduction for young people to get into Greek mythology but shouldn’t be taken as fact. I remember having an argument with my friend that told me Perseus is the son of Poseidon when in actuality he isn’t…he’s Zeus’ son. 💀

Now when it comes to TSOA I haven’t read the book because I really don’t have any interest in it but from what I’ve heard…it’s a far cry from the Iliad itself. Switch up in characters and personalities. I think people were calling Thetis a bad mother and hating on Deidamia, evening going as far as to call her a rapist? And all for what? It’s kind of sad. Again..not everyone is like this but a good handful.

The original screen shot it from this person in Twitter

and finally Epic the Musical. Now at first I loved epic the musical even though it wasn’t accurate but it was still fun listening to the songs and the creativity. But then it grew a fandom, of course no problem..but then most people started being annoying. The creator of the musical himself said to go read the Odyssey and not take the musical as fact. But people don’t really listen. A small example of people not checking their facts is I see most assuming that Telemachus is 15….that is a grown ass man😭. Then we have the mix ups of Helios and Apollon. They for some reason will be hell-bent on trying to convince you that the cows belonged to Apollon. And while it’s true that Apollon had cattle..these specifically were Helios’.

well..that’s all for now, I just wanted to a rant a bit.

[kupidachillea]

yeah- so this week has been wild. But Imma stay out of this. It’s just a topic most don’t want to touch with a 10ft pole.

[kupidachillea]

Four Shades of Achilles

yeah- so I’ve seen so many different variations of Achilles’ hair I just had to do a lil thing of it.

of course you have the og golden blonde, and then your have the red hair..then the platinum blonde and then brunet.

when I draw my version of Achilles I describe his hair as “fiery blonde” since I give him a gold/red gradient.

but I think all versions are correct. Because again- I refer to the text or epithets when I’m drawing and Achilles is referred to has “Lion-Heart” or “Lion- Hearted”

and when you look at a lion’s mane (depending on the lion) you will see all these colours in its mane

[kupidachillea]

So apparently he might’ve had wings in his feet? (Don’t jump me for using Wikipedia)

[kupidachillea]

is it just me or is Apollo’s other lovers that lack a tragic ending less known? For example, we all know of Daphne and Hyacinthus, but what about Branchus? Most of us don’t know that one and I can’t help but wonder if it’s because most of the myths surrounding Apollo is usually about how tragic and sad his love life is with both his male and female lovers.

[kupidachillea]

More Achilles headcannons? :(

oof! Well I’ll try my best. Keep in mind these are head canons and not accurate but either inspired by certain things I noticed about said character. That character being Achilles. Now on to the the actual post:

This is just a silly idea, but I’d like to think Achilles can sing. He obviously doesn’t do it much, but I feel like since he does play the lyre; he’d most definitely sing. I’m also tying this in to his nereidian roots (though it’s not really confirmed or anything that nereids can sing well).

He’d probably sing when he’s alone or with someone he’s comfortable with or around. He’s voice would probably sound lovely and hypnotic (I feel like I’m glazing him atm😭). I also feel like if he was in present day he’d still play the lyre or gravitate to the guitar.

Another thought I have is that he probably likes wearing less clothes especially at home? He probably likes to just be in shirts or trousers with not shirt or a robe or something similar. Maybe thin material like chiffon? I can imagine him in a chiffon robe. It’d probably be seen as ‘feminine’ but he doesn’t give a damn. It’s probably better than seeing him walk around stark naked (which he might do occasionally.)

But touching on the ‘feminine’ thing- I know he’s described as handsome and all. But I do think, me personally, he would have a few androgynous features and qualities. Mainly in his face. I mean- to be fair he was dressed up as a woman and seemed to not have been caught (besides Odysseus). So in shorty- war criminal/hero (whatever) that can look both masculine and feminine.

Another body head canon- his eyes aren’t like humans even though I draw them typically green or hazel- I think they’d act like cat eyes(?), again- this is mostly inspired by his ‘lion-heart’ epithet and also his nereidian heritage. So he can focus his eyes into slits and all that and I think that also emphasises his dangerous nature and murderous tendencies.

This head canon is a bit iffy but I see most people debating if Achilles had red or blonde hair- hear me out- what if he was blonde (ish) but used henna to dye his hair red because he liked the fiery colour?(this is why I described him with fiery blonde and my I draw him like that). I got the idea from a tik tok I watched of this young woman dying her hair red with henna.