****Song of Achilles spoilers below****
Reading song of achilles as someone who loves greek mythology was wonderful. Seeing and reading a new take on the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles was amazing. I will, however, say how it made me feel.
Freshly finishing the last page, these are my true thoughts and feelings about this book as of right now.
Seeing how their love for each other came between them and the war itself was heartbreaking. Especially after watching them grow deeper in love with each other as the book went on. Achilles’s pride getting in the way of doing what’s right and then having the pay the ultimate price. The lose of his love, Patroclus, ripped my heart out. I cried while reading the rest of the book from there on.
From the beginning of the book, Patroclus and Achilles’s relationship was beautiful. From it being against the wishes of Thetis, Achilles’s mother, to the prophecy that lied over both of their heads. They love each other regardless and even have to fight to do so.
They both knew that the prophecy would come true one day, and Achilles would die at war. However, neither of them knew that Patroclus would go first.
Not to mention Thetis’s hatred for Patroclus. It’s as if she knew all along that Achilles would die in a grief - stricken spree. She always showed her distaste for Patroclus throughout the book. In the end though, she was the one that gifted Patroclus eternal rest. Thetis finally saw that Achilles loved Patroclus and allowed them to be together in the afterlife.
Patroclus’s overall love and devotion to Achilles is what made the book amazing. Patroclus’s first act of love was when he basically chased after him when Achilles went to train with Chiron. And Patroclus chased after him again when Thetis whisked Achilles away to hide him from war.
During the war itself we see his devotion to Achilles through several acts. However, the most important part was when Patroclus rejected Briseis because he loved Achilles more.
He could have gotten married and had children with Briseis, but instead, he chose Achilles.
We see the beginning of the end when Briseis was taken by Agamemnon. Patroclus had love for Briseis and did not want something terrible to happen to her. So, he went against Achilles and told Agamemnon Achilles’s plan.
It was a conflict of interest that almost turned them against each other.
Achilles’s pride got in the way of his and Patroclus’s love for the first time.
When Achilles refused to fight, Patroclus was so conflicted between his love and doing what was right. In the end, Patroclus chose to save the army, against Achilles’s wishes, and that was what led to his death. Patroclus put aside his love and devotion to Achilles and did what he believed was right.
“When I am dead, I change you to mingle our ashes and bury us together”
This statement alone shows Achilles’s love for Patroclus. They both wanted to be together in the after life. So, when Achilles is struck down and killed by Paris, their ashes are mixed together. It made me feel the full affect of their love.
However, when Achilles’s son, Pyrrhus, does not allow Patroclus to be honored with Achilles, Patroclus is left to be a wondering soul.
So, the greeks leave, and Patroclus’s soul is left to reside. I was actually crying at this point. It was more than just a few tears shred because it hurt to know that now he was just stuck.
Visitors come to see Achilles resting place and Patroclus is still there, waiting. Thetis is one of them. Patroclus slowing convinces her through memories to allow him peace, and she does despite her distaste for him. Thetis finally accepted their love for one another and allowed him peace. It was so moving to read and it made me almost start sobbing.
Madeline Miller did such a wonderful thing with this book. Her writing was so moving and this book is now my favorite book ever. I recommend this book to everyone.
