Patroclus and Achilles aren't bi and here's why
So I’ve noticed it’s a recurring theme in The Song of Achilles fandom to consider Patroclus bisexual (And to some extent, Achilles as well). And I’m here to fix that and explain that they aren’t, and why you should not headcanon canonically queer characters as anything else.
Let’s begin with Patroclus:
On page 59, Patroclus states that “The feelings that stirred in me at night seemed strangely distant from those serving girls-I did not wish for a thing.”
Sounds pretty gay. But I know what you’re saying. ”What about Deidameia? Briseis?!”
Let’s do the part of Deidameia first.
The way Deidameia get Patroclus to sleep with him is manipulation. She cries to him about his fault that Achilles is leaving her, she insults him, and when he’s torn about what to do for her, she forces him to sleep with him.
It wasn’t consensual. It was manipulation. Sounds like rape to me.
Several excerpts, if you so wish;
“You do not want this,” I said. I made to step back, but she held me too tightly (pg 146).
“I swallowed, my throat dry with panic. ‘Achilles will be looking for me.’” (pg.147)
“Almost, I fled. But I could not bear to see her face broken open with sorrow, more disappointment-another boy who would not give her what she wanted.” (pg. 148)
And lets not forget the fact that Deidameia’s reaction to touching him; “-there was no hope or pleasure, only determination.” (pg. 148)
Patroclus did not want to sleep with her. He was forced into it, and he wanted no part of it. He thought of his boyfriend waiting for him, and he didn’t want to do it at all, whatsoever. Afterwards, he tried to forget what had happened, but of course he could not. Rape does not determine you sexual orientation.
Now Briseis.
I’m going to start the excerpt with her propositioning him.
“Her shoulders crept up, like folded wings. ‘I know that you love him,’ she said, hesitating a little before each word. ‘I know. But I thought that-some men have wives and lovers both.’
Her face looked very small, and so sad that I could not be silent.
‘Briseis,’ I said. ‘If I ever wished to take a wife, it would be you.’
'But you do not wish to take a wife’
'No,’ I said gently as I could.” (pg. 267)
Now that’s all fair and done. It’s clear that he didn’t want to hurt her, and it shows that he has no interest in having a relationship with her. and I know what you’re saying ‘But Patroclusghost! She asked him if he would have a kid with her, and he seriously considered it!!’
Yeah, but he was thinking of the child. Not sleeping with her. And I will acknowledge the following excerpt.
“Almost, I can imagine this is my life, held in the sweet circle of her arms. I would marry her, and we would have a child.
Perhaps if I had never known Achilles.” (pg. 314)
That’s a pretty solid argument. But I’m honestly seeing that at most, Patroclus could be biromantic. It’s pretty obvious he is not sexually attracted to women, and I honestly think that he’s truly gay, and he was having guilty thoughts over not being able to return favor with Briseis.
Finally Achilles
To be honest, I’m certainly confused as to why I have to even create an argument for Achilles. He only slept with one woman twice, after all. And it was because his mother had said that if he slept with her, she would tell Patroclus where he was. So it wasn’t out of desire, but out of necessity and manipulation, again.
“‘She led the girl to my room. She made me. I did not want to. My mother said-she said’ He was stumbling over his words. “She said that if I did as she said, she would tell you where i was.”’ (pg. 134)
‘“Forgvie me,” he said again. “I did not want it. It was not you. I did not-I did not like it.”’ (pg. 136)
So in conclusion, neither of these guys are bisexual. They were forced into their relationships with women, and I am frankly grossed out by the fact that the fandom keeps insisting that they are anything but gay.
It’s wrong to take the identity of a gay person and change it to suit your needs. Especially when the only evidence you have to support your claim comes from rape, manipulation, or guilty feelings.
Thank you for your time.
