Summary
The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller's 2011 debut novel, is a retelling of Homer's Iliad from the perspective of Patroclus. This critically acclaimed work breathes new life into the ancient Greek epic, exploring the romantic relationship between Achilles and Patroclus against the backdrop of the Trojan War.
Miller's novel garnered widespread acclaim, winning the prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction in 2012. Its popularity has endured over the years, experiencing a significant resurgence in 2021 due to viral TikTok videos. The novel's success has solidified Miller's reputation as a skilled storyteller of classical mythology.
Plot
The Song of Achilles follows the life of Patroclus, an exiled prince who forms a close bond with Achilles, the legendary Greek hero. As young boys, they meet in Phthia and become inseparable, much to the dismay of Achilles' mother, the sea goddess Thetis. Their relationship deepens as they grow into young men, training together under the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine.
When Helen of Sparta is kidnapped, the Greek leaders call upon their oath-bound allies to wage war against Troy. Achilles, seduced by the promise of glory, joins the cause. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. The two find themselves embroiled in the epic Trojan War, facing not only the enemy but also the machinations of their fellow Greeks, particularly the power-hungry Agamemnon.
As the war drags on, tensions rise among the Greek forces. After a dispute with Agamemnon, Achilles refuses to fight, leading to dire consequences for the Greek army. In a desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle, Patroclus dons Achilles's armor and leads the Myrmidons into combat. This decision proves fatal, as Patroclus falls at the hands of the Trojan prince Hector.
Devastated by the loss of his beloved companion, Achilles re-enters the fray with a vengeance, slaying Hector and fulfilling his own prophesied doom. The novel concludes with Thetis finally acknowledging her son’s love for Patroclus by inscribing his name on their shared tomb. At last, the two are reunited in the afterlife.
Themes
Friendship and loyalty
Fate versus free will
Sacrifice for a loved one
Coming of age and personal growth
Honor, glory, and heroism in war
Mortality and the human condition
Divine intervention
Identity and self-discovery
Setting
The Song of Achilles is set in ancient Greece during the Heroic Age, a richly storied mythical period. This era, believed to have occurred before the dawn of classical Greek civilization, is characterized by larger-than-life heroes, divine intervention, and epic conflicts. The story unfolds against this mythological landscape, blending historical elements with fantastical aspects of Greek mythology.
Geographically, the narrative spans several key locations in the ancient Greek world. It begins in Phthia, a kingdom in southern Thessaly where Achilles is raised as the son of King Peleus. The story then shifts to Mount Pelion, where Achilles and Patroclus train under the centaur Chiron. Later, the action moves to the island of Skyros, where Achilles is hidden by his mother, Thetis. Finally, the climactic events of the Trojan War take place on the plains outside the city of Troy, located in what is now northwestern Turkey.
Characters
Patroclus: The narrator and protagonist. An exiled prince who becomes Achilles's closest companion and lover. Patroclus is compassionate, introspective, and often feels overshadowed by Achilles's greatness. He serves as a field medic during the Trojan War and ultimately sacrifices himself by impersonating Achilles in battle.
Achilles: The legendary Greek hero, son of King Peleus and the sea nymph Thetis. Achilles is described as beautiful, swift, and the greatest warrior of his generation. He forms a deep bond with Patroclus that develops into a romantic relationship. Achilles struggles between his destined glory and his love for Patroclus.
Thetis: Achilles's mother, a powerful and cruel sea nymph. Thetis is fiercely protective of Achilles and disapproves of his relationship with Patroclus. She attempts to manipulate events to fulfill the prophecy of her son’s greatness while trying to prevent his fated death.
Chiron: The wise centaur who trains Achilles and Patroclus in the arts and skills of medicine, music, and combat during their years on Mount Pelion.
Briseis: A Trojan woman captured as a war prize. She becomes close friends with Patroclus and is caught in the conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon.
Agamemnon: The leader of the Greek forces in the Trojan War. His actions, including taking Briseis from Achilles, lead to significant conflict within the Greek camp.
Odysseus: The clever king of Ithaca, who plays a key role in bringing Achilles to Troy. He serves as a strategist and diplomat throughout the war.
Hector: The greatest Trojan warrior, son of King Priam. His actions lead to Patroclus's death and ultimately seal his own fate at the hands of Achilles.
Quick facts
It took Madeline Miller 10 years to write The Song of Achilles, including scrapping a complete manuscript after five years and starting over.
Miller was inspired to write the story by memories of her mother reading her The Iliad as a child.
The novel is narrated from the perspective of Patroclus, a relatively minor character in Homer's Iliad.
In addition to Homer, Miller drew inspiration from various ancient Greek and Roman authors, including Ovid, Virgil, and Sophocles.
Miller depicts Achilles and Patroclus as the same age, unlike Homer's portrayal of Patroclus as significantly older.
Miller's portrayal of Achilles and Patroclus as lovers is based on interpretations dating back to ancient Greco-Roman authors.
The Song of Achilles won the prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction in 2012.
The novel was shortlisted for both the Stonewall Book Award and the Chautauqua Prize in 2013.
The Song of Achilles experienced a significant sales boost in 2021 after being featured in a viral TikTok video.
About the Author
Madeline Miller is an American novelist known for her modern retellings of ancient Greek mythology. Born in 1978 in Boston, Miller developed a passion for classical literature in childhood, with her mother introducing her to The Iliad at the tender age of five. She earned both her BA and MA in Classics from Brown University, laying the foundation for her career.
Miller's debut novel, The Song of Achilles was published in 2011 after a decade of writing. This reimagining of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus garnered widespread acclaim, winning the prestigious Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2012. Her success continued with her second novel, Circe, released in 2018. This feminist retelling of the story of the mythological sorceress became an instant bestseller and received multiple awards.
Miller's work is characterized by mythological realism, exploring timeless themes like dysfunctional families and homesickness through the lens of classical Greek stories. Along with writing, she teaches Latin, Greek, and Shakespeare to high school students, most recently near her home outside Philadelphia.
