The Song Of Achilles Summary & Quotes |Madeline Miller

The story takes place in the Greek ancient world where Gods and Mortals coexisted together. Achilles; a demi-god, son of the King of Phthia, and the sea nymph Thetis, is a golden boy, with a consuming presence, polished skin, and versatile perfections. Patroclus; an awkward, scrawny prince hated by his father. Not strong, Not Fast, Nothing extraordinary; just a lanky shy boy.

Patroclus’s life gets even more tangled up when he accidentally kills Clysonymus; the son of a nobleman and is exiled from the nation.

Achilles’s father; Peleus was fond of giving shelter to the exiled or orphaned and takes Patroclus under his wings. His life in Phthia continued to be the same; from morning training to lone afternoons to dinner on Oakwood benches where he always saw Achilles.

Until Achilles put forward a hand of friendship and asks his father to make Patroclus his companion or Therapon. Gradually they become acquainted, train together, tell each other stories before sleeping, swim, and climb trees. They become an inseparable much to Thetis’s dismay who warns and threatens Patroclus.

Soon they turn thirteen. One summer day, as they both are lying by the beach they kiss, which does not go unnoticed by Thetis. An infuriated Thetis orders Achilles’s to go to Mt. Pelion to train under Chiron. Patroclus is successful in tracking them down and follows along.

Chiron convinces Thetis to let Patroclus stay. After that, the years move on, with both of them training, hunting, swimming, camping, and exploring the forests. Patroclus learns medicine and Achilles becomes an even more skilled warrior. One day after meeting his mother, Achilles informs Patroclus about Thetis’s inability to watch them on Mt. Pelion. With their new, unforeseen freedom, they finally give in to their sexual desires.

Their happy bubble is broken when Achilles is called by his father and informed of his duty to fight in the upcoming war(The Trojan War). A prophecy made years ago stated that this war will bring Achilles unparalleled glory but also cause his death. Scared of losing his son, Thetis hides him.

Patroclus is able to hunt him down and Achilles’s cover is blown away. After trying every possible method, eventually, Achilles is compelled to join the war. A lot happens during the ten-year war, Achilles’s speed and fighting skills gain popularity, and Patroclus becomes friends with one of the war slaves and starts helping the injured one.

Major Spoilers Ahead!!!

The Song Of Achilles Ending Explained

After a major disagreement with Agamemnon, Achilles refuses to fight. The Greek forces start to ascend towards their doom. A settlement is offered but he still refuses to fight, clinging to his vain pride. Patroclus begs him to save others otherwise even after winning the war, he would be hated. But Achilles doesn’t budge, so Patroclus takes matters into his hand.

He dresses in Achilles’ armor and sets out to fight. Achilles agrees to his idea only on the condition that he won’t step out of the chariot. In the heat of the war, Patroclus makes the mistake of fighting and is killed. On seeing his lover dead, Achilles’s grief is greater than the whole sky. He clung to the dead body, and lays with Patroclus’s body for days, mourning.

When he goes out to seek vengeance, even the Gods are scared. He has lost all sense of care, fighting barbarically. He drags Hector’s dead body bound to his chariot for three days. Eventually, he is killed. He had wished the burial of his and Patroclus’s ashes together. A tomb is built in his honour, and later Patroclus’s name is engraved beside his.

 Somewhere in the afterlife, Achilles’s soul meets Patroclus’s, and as their hands join, Golden light spreads like morning mist.