There are many allusions to classical literature, myths and legends in the novel. Which stood out for you?

There are many allusions to classical literature, myths and legends in the novel. Which stood out for you?

Alas - I am not familiar with classical literature so I cannot comment on what I don't understand.

Pandora and her box.

The reference to Achilles, as not a slave but a hero, known for his moral as well as physical strength and courage but also for his vulnerability (symbolically, the "Achilles heel"), stands out for me because we have two major characters with that name, and both do show those qualities. In the Iliad, Achilles is a warrior who shows great loyalty to those he loves, and gets enraged to fight on their behalf. That seems appropriate to both characters as well, though their battles are of a different kind. Achilles in myth also courts the displeasure of the gods, as a matter of principle, and both characters with this name are willing to challenge conventional expectations or assigned roles in life, to act upon their moral convictions. I'm sure the author chose this name intentionally.

At the time I was reading, only 2 references immediately stood out: Pandora's box and Achilles as in a strong figure that also commits a deed that is terrifying. I must admit that a couple of times I felt like the other references seemed too forced. I don't have the book handy or I would thumb back through it to see if I wrote comments in the margin at the time.