Before continuing, be aware that this article will contain spoilers about the book “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller. Additionally, this article will discuss explicit scenes that take place within the novel. If you do not want the book or plot ruined for you, I suggest not reading this article until you finish reading the book.
Author Madeline Miller spent ten years writing her first novel, “The Song of Achilles,” while she taught Latin and Greek mythology. The book was published in 2011. However, TikTok has been a major influence in bringing attention to the novel once again.
There are few characters in the novel that are not considered “famous” in Greek mythology. The main characters in Miller’s novel are Patroclus, Achilles and Thetis.
The main plot of the novel follows the romantic relationship between Patroclus and Achilles while Achilles’ mother, Thetis, interferes with their relationship as she disapproves of their companionship.
The novel begins with Patroclus being banished from his home village as a 12-year-old after pushing another child and causing a fatal head injury. After being orphaned, Peleus, Achilles’ father, allows Patroclus to join their village and takes care of him as his own. This is the start of the friendship/relationship between Achilles and Patroclus.
After finding out about the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, the sea nymph mother Thetis sends her son to live with a centaur, Chiron, in the woods in order to become the strongest and most skilled individual in the world.
However, after hearing the news, Patroclus runs away from the village and finds Achilles. They continue to live and learn new skills with the centaur Chiron.
During this period of five years living and learning in the woods with the centaur Chiron, the romantic relationship between two teenage boys begins. Even though they love each other, they continue to keep their relationship private since homosexuality would not be accepted.
This aspect of the book is interesting because in the original Greek mythology story “The Iliad,” these two characters are depicted solely as two close companions. However, many scholars have considered that perhaps these two were, in fact, lovers. Miller was able to take these scholars’ thoughts and put them into play with these two characters.
Toward the end of the novel, it flashes forward to Achilles and Patroclus as grown men fighting in the Trojan War. Because of differing opinions on war tactics, problems arise between the couple.
In the end, Patroclus dies while pretending to be Achilles. He is later cremated, but his ashes are left unburied. In Greek mythology, if a body is not buried, then the soul is unable to pass into Hades, and they are left to wander the earth without rest.
After all the violence and heartbreak throughout the novel, it would have been nice to have a happy ending. However, in the end, as Achilles is dying, he thinks about being able to see Patroclus in Hades and finds rest in that. But Patroclus is never buried; therefore, the two will never be able to be together again.
While we always want a happy ending that ties up the story with a pretty bow, Miller does not do that with this novel. It does set her and her novel apart from others, and in the field of writing, that is important.
Applying the findings of scholars and the story of “The Iliad” while also adding “fictional” aspects to the characters’ lives is brilliant and made the novel a page-turner.
Fortunately, Miller had her second novel, “Circe,” published in 2018, which also follows the life of a Greek mythology character. Since expectations for “The Song of Achilles” were completely exceeded, many believe her more recent novel will do the same.
