"Fate Lured Them to Their Fall": Fate in Dan Simmons's Ilium and its Inspiration, Homer's Iliad

Abstract

This thesis investigates the theme of fate in the science fiction novel Ilium, and how this theme has been adapted from its source of inspiration, Homer’s Iliad. Through identifying the various aspects of fate in both Ilium and the Iliad, a segmented overview of this theme in each work is established. After situating Ilium in the field of literary adaptations and, more specifically, science fiction adaptations of classical works, a comparison of fate in both works follows. Ilium comments on fate in the Iliad as well as on fate and free will in modern-day society through recontextualising Homer’s epic in a science fiction universe while at the same time infusing it with 21st century thoughts and opinions. Ilium presents the notions of fate and technology in an ambiguous relationship with free will and the divine within a technologically advanced, dangerous, and unforgiving environment.