I just read The Song of Achilles for the first time so here are my favourite quotes while I figure out how to cope with this emotional turmoil...
"There is no law that god's must be fair, Achilles," Chiron said. "and perhaps it is greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone. Do you think?" (Chiron, page 84)
I will never leave him. It will be this, always, for as long as he will let me. (Patroclus, page 102)
"Patroclus," he said. He was always better with words than I. (Achilles and Patroclus, page 102)
"name one hero who was happy... you can't."
"I know. They never let you be famous and happy." he lifted an eyebrow. "I'll tell you a secret."
"Tell me." I loved it when he was like this.
"I'm going to be the first." He took my palm and held it to his. "Swear it."
"Because you're the reason. Swear it."
"I swear it," he echoed. (Patroclus and Achilles, page 104-105)
I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world. (Patroclus, page 134)
"Patroclus. I have given enough to them. I will not give them this." (Achilles, page 176)
"You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature." (Odysseus, page 207)
He is half of my soul, as the poets say. (Patroclus, page 299)
"Best of men. Best of Myrmidons... it is truth, let is stand for once." (Briseis, page 312)
The last thing I think is: Achilles. (Patroclus, page 335)
"Who did this?" His voice is a terrible thing, cracked and broken. (Achilles and Patroclus, page 337)
"if you wish, ... I do not care. I will be dead soon." (Achilles, page 339)
Achilles' eyes lift. They are bloodshot and dead. "I wish he had let you all die." (Achilles, page 339)
"I hope Hector kills you."
The breath raps in his throat. "Do you think I do not hope the same?" He asks. (Briseis and Achilles, page 340)
"There are no bargains between lions and men. I will kill you and eat you raw." (Achilles, page 344)
"Philtatos," Achilles says, sharply. Most beloved. "Best of men, and slaughtered by yyour son." (Achilles, page 349)
Achilles smiles as his face strikes the earth. (page 353)
Do not let it be so. Do not leave me here without him. (Patroclus, page 357)
"Let it be remembered I tried." I remember. (Odysseus and Patroclus, page 364)
I am made of memories. (Patroclus, page 366)
"He waits for you." (Thetis, page 369)
In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out the sun. (page 369)
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