How to Write Like a Bard

Imagine… an island. A windswept shore where heroes have fallen, and the gods themselves once walked. Here, amid the ruins, a young Achilles, not yet legendary, stands staring into the ocean, wondering, ‘Is my life meant for more than this? Must I embrace my fate, or could I change it?

This question—can we change our fates?—is as old as storytelling itself. Achilles’ question reaches across centuries to us today, a universal longing to find meaning in our stories and make sense of our paths. And that’s what I’m here to talk about—how we can tap into those ancient questions, breathe new life into the myths of old, and with the help of a surprising ally, Artificial Intelligence, explore the age-old art of heroism in entirely new ways.

Today, we will show you how the ancient heroes—Achilles, Odysseus, Hector—don’t just belong in dusty manuscripts or marble statues. They belong here, with us, in our imaginations, and in our creative efforts. So, let’s set the stage with a question for our time: how can AI help us reawaken the past and forge a new path for mythic storytelling?

The Hero’s Journey: Bringing Greek Heroism to Life

Since the dawn of civilization, storytelling has been a map guiding us through the human experience, helping us confront our hopes, fears, and aspirations. For the ancient Greeks, stories of heroes served as mirrors, reflecting their culture’s ideals and paradoxes. Their heroes weren’t perfect; they were exalted for their virtues and tested by their flaws. They were paragons of strength and intellect, but they were also intensely, sometimes painfully, human.

Take Achilles: blessed with divine favor and unmatched in battle, he was swift and strong—nearly invincible. But this blessing came with a fierce temper and a deep vulnerability to fate, both of which ultimately led to his tragic end. Achilles’ journey is one of wrath and reflection, of a hero at war not just with his enemies but with his own mortality. His story is as much about grappling with destiny as it is about victory on the battlefield.

Then there’s Odysseus: the king of Ithaca, known as the “man of twists and turns.” His journey isn’t defined by raw power but by cunning and resilience. Odysseus was the epitome of intellect, outwitting gods and monsters alike; yet he was plagued by a fatal pride that stretched his journey home into a ten-year odyssey. Odysseus represents the internal struggle between wisdom and hubris, a lesson in how cleverness, if unchecked, can become its own snare.

And finally, Hector, the noble defender of Troy. Unlike Achilles, Hector fought not for personal glory but for duty and love of his family and city. He embodies the heroic ideal of loyalty and sacrifice, yet he, too, was fated to fall, caught in the inevitability of war. Hector’s story shows us a hero bound to a cause greater than himself, yet ultimately powerless against the currents of destiny—a theme that resonates with anyone who has fought for something they knew they might lose.

What made these heroes immortal wasn’t just their strength, intelligence, or even courage—it was the way they grappled with fate, honor, and their own flaws. Their stories weren’t linear or simple; they were layered with conflict, contradiction, and complexity. They were alive, pulsing with the same struggles we face today: questions of identity, the pull of ambition, the price of loyalty, and the inevitability of death.

And isn’t this exactly what we want from our stories today? In our age of quick narratives and instant resolutions, we still yearn for tales that reflect the true complexity of life. We seek characters who, like Achilles, are blessed yet flawed; who, like Odysseus, are brilliant yet vulnerable to pride; who, like Hector, fight for something greater than themselves even when the outcome is uncertain. We crave heroes who remind us that life is rarely straightforward, that our paths are often winding, and that our greatest strength may lie in embracing our own humanity.

The beauty of Greek heroism lies in its timeless relevance. These heroes and their journeys remind us that strength is more than power, that intellect must be tempered by humility, and that honor often requires sacrifice. Today, as writers, we can draw from this rich tradition, infusing our own heroes with the same depth, struggles, and contradictions. By doing so, we not only bring Greek heroism to life, but we also create stories that resonate deeply with the human experience—just as these ancient tales have for centuries.

The Role of AI: Creating Epic Experiences

Imagine if we could invite a new form of creativity into our writing room, one that allows us to generate fresh perspectives and experiment with ancient forms in ways the bards of old could only dream of. With AI, we have that tool.

Let’s be clear—we don’t want AI to replace or overshadow us, nor do we want to depend on it too much. But it can definitely spark our creativity! AI is here as a collaborator, a modern-day Muse that helps us reimagine classic tales with fresh eyes. Just as Homer may have woven new layers into his verses with each telling, we too can walk these ancient paths and make them our own, capturing Homer’s rhythm and depth while adding our unique, modern perspective.

Now, let us take on three noble challenges and set forth, drawing strength from the ancient myths as we shape them anew with our AI muse.

Challenge 1: "The Divine Tragedy – Reimagining Achilles’ Journey"

Picture our Achilles, not upon the bloodied sands of Troy, but in our world today. Who is he? Perhaps a soldier, an athlete burning with ambition, or maybe a bold rebel, fueled by fury and fierce pride. Imagine his backstory—write it down, or speak it aloud, for the strength of his character is in the telling. Once you know him well, call upon our AI guide and prompt:

> "Generate a scene introducing [Achilles' name], a hero defined by [qualities: ambition, loyalty, anger], facing [a critical moment related to his ambitions]."

Ah, but ambition is a double-edged blade, is it not? Our Achilles might find fame, but he pays a high price for glory. Which path shall we take?

- Path A: Achilles chases glory, heedless of those he harms, risking friendships, and alliances.

- Path B: Achilles wrestles with guilt, torn by choices made in his relentless pursuit.

- Path C: Visions of a grim fate haunt Achilles as the AI hints at a destiny he cannot escape.

Now, introduce a twist! Will he face a rival, meet an unlikely ally, or stumble upon a revelation that shakes his convictions? Choose his journey, then prompt the AI:

> "Create a scene where Achilles meets [a rival/ally/mentor] who challenges his views on ambition and glory. Describe the interaction and its impact on Achilles."

As his story unfolds, observe: Does Achilles find greatness through sacrifice and wisdom? Or does ambition lead him to hubris and ruin? Reflect on this: How would Achilles’ choices resonate with us today? We see ourselves in his rise and his fall—such is the power of a hero’s journey.

Challenge 2: "The Oracle’s Song – Odysseus and the AI Prophecies"

And now, we summon the cunning Odysseus to a new adventure. What form does he take in our time? Is he a traveler, a restless thinker, or a seeker of truths? Imagine what drives him, and then let the AI whisper a prophecy—a message that speaks to Odysseus' deepest fear or longing. Say to it:

> "Generate a cryptic prophecy for [Odysseus’ name], one that speaks to his deepest fear or desire, leading him to confront [a moral or personal challenge]."

Odysseus will set forth, driven by this prophecy, but choose the trial he shall face:

- Path A: He encounters alluring, AI-generated sirens, who test his sense of duty.

- Path B: He wanders a labyrinth where each path reveals visions of possible futures, forcing him to confront his choices.

- Path C: He faces a godlike AI, which probes his wisdom and tests his self-control.

The oracle’s prophecy shifts with each trial, revealing new meanings. Instruct the AI to interpret it further:

> "Create a new vision or message that appears to Odysseus, interpreting the oracle’s prophecy as a test of [character trait: loyalty, wisdom, restraint]. How does Odysseus react?"

Here lies the heart of Odysseus’ journey: will he learn humility, finding strength in wisdom and restraint? Or will pride blind him to his own flaws, as the prophecy slips beyond his grasp? His journey reflects the timeless tension between fate and choice—a tale as old as the winds themselves.

Challenge 3: "The Song of Troy – An Epic of the Forgotten Heroes"

Not all tales are of kings and champions. Let us turn our gaze to the voices often lost in the roar of war. Choose a hero, a forgotten figure from Troy—Cassandra, Patroclus, or Andromache—and bring them to life through AI’s eyes.

> "Generate a scene introducing [character’s name] as they grapple with [a moral or personal struggle related to the Trojan War]."

Choose a crucial event and decide how their perspective colors it:

- Path A: Patroclus questions the choices of Achilles, his closest friend.

- Path B: Andromache mourns and fears for her family as Hector’s fate looms.

- Path C: Cassandra foresees Troy’s fall, but none heed her warnings.

Then, let the AI guide you deeper, allowing these characters to meet allies, enemies, or unexpected revelations that illuminate new angles:

> "Create a scene in which [chosen character] encounters a soldier or god from the opposite side, revealing a shared or contrasting perspective on the war."

Through these voices, we see a tapestry woven from sorrow, valor, and sacrifice. And by viewing the story through many eyes, we understand the futility, the chaos, and the tangled web of motives in war. This is not a tale of heroes alone but of all who lived, loved, and lost in the shadow of Troy.

In each challenge, as you journey from prompt to story, remember that these ancient figures were once as real to their listeners as we are to each other now. Let the AI be your muse, but we strongly recommend breathing your own life into these tales. With every twist, choice, and consequence, you’re reshaping the legacy of these heroes anew.