Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Cover of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller depicting a Corinthian helmet (12)

 
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a novel that reshapes the legendary tale of Achilles and Patroclus that is rooted in The Iliad. Miller takes the story that's often overshadowed by the glory of war and gives it a deeply emotional and personal twist. While the original myth focuses on the epic battles of the Trojan War, Miller's adaptation focuses on the bond between these two characters and makes subtle, modern adjustments that reflect contemporary attitudes and values. In doing so, she brings these classic figures to a modern audience and enriches their narrative in ways that challenge traditional views of heroism and identity.

Myth of Achilles and Patroclus 

Oil painting of Achilles mourning over Patroclus' death by Gavin Hamilton (1763) (1)

In The Iliad, the story of Achilles and Patroclus is one of deep friendship and tragedy. Patroclus is Achilles’ closest companion, and while their bond is described with warmth, the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear (8). When Achilles refuses to fight during the Trojan War after a dispute with Agamemnon, Patroclus sees the suffering of the Greek soldiers and puts on Achilles' armor to inspire them (5). Sadly, he is killed by Hector, which sends Achilles into a spiral of grief and fury (5). Patroclus’ death pushes Achilles to return to the war, where he seeks revenge on Hector by killing him. Despite his victory, Achilles’ own death is foretold and inevitable. In later myths, he meets his death at the hands of Paris, who, guided by the god Apollo, strikes an arrow in the heel, which is the only vulnerable spot on Achilles' body (5).

Summary of The Song of Achilles

Told from Patroclus’ perspective, the novel follows his journey from an exiled prince to the cherished companion of Achilles, the legendary warrior destined for greatness. Patroclus, a young Greek prince, grows up feeling unwanted by his father, who resents him for his weakness. At nine, Patroclus travels to Sparta as a suitor for Princess Helen, but she chooses Menelaus, and all the men swear to defend her marriage if she were ever to be taken away as proposed by Odysseus. After returning home, Patroclus accidentally kills a nobleman’s son and is exiled to Phthia, where he meets Achilles, the half-god son of King Peleus and the sea-nymph Thetis. Despite Thetis’ disapproval, Patroclus and Achilles become inseparable, training under the centaur Chiron. When Paris of Troy kidnaps Helen, the Greek kings prepare for war. A prophecy warns that Achilles will gain glory in battle but will die after killing Hector, Troy’s greatest warrior. Though Thetis tries to hide Achilles, he eventually joins the war, with Patroclus following him. At Troy, Achilles’ pride leads to conflict with Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. When the Greeks begin losing, Patroclus wears Achilles’ armor to rally them but is killed by Hector. Devastated, Achilles avenges him and kills Hector, but his fate soon follows as he is struck down by Paris, guided by the god Apollo. After the war, Achilles’ son Pyrrhus refuses to honor Achilles' wish to be buried alongside Patroclus, but Thetis ultimately ensures their reunion in death.

Characters 

Amphora of Achilles tending Patroclus' wounds by Sosias Painter (around 500 BC) (6)

Miller stays true to many elements of The Iliad—the setting of the Trojan War, the wrath of Achilles, and the prophecy surrounding his fate. However, her novel offers a fresh perspective by shifting the focus from war to love. While Homer’s Iliad does not explicitly define the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus as romantic, Miller fully embraces this interpretation, crafting a deeply personal narrative that highlights their love story (8). In traditional accounts, their bond is often seen as more of a deep friendship or even just a side note in the greater tale of Achilles' heroism. However, Miller's choice to make their love explicit and central to the plot adds a level of emotional depth that resonates with modern readers, especially in the context of LGBTQ+ representation (8). 

Achilles is still the half-divine warrior destined for glory, but the novel emphasizes his emotional vulnerability and struggles to accept his fate. He is portrayed as a young man more concerned with love and happiness alongside Patroclus than with legacy and glory (8). When Patroclus warns Achilles that their relationship could harm his honor, Achilles simply responds, “Then it is darkened.” (Miller, 134).  This carefree attitude toward his honor eventually shifts, and Achilles becomes the fierce warrior known from The Iliad. Odysseus finds Achilles disguised as a woman on the island of Scyros, urging him to join the fight at Troy for the glory that is his destiny. This moment shatters Achilles' earlier belief in his destined greatness, and he realizes that he must fight to fulfill that destiny. This portrayal complicates the idea of Greek heroes as invincible warriors, instead presenting Achilles as a man deeply affected by love, loss, and fate (8). Patroclus, while often seen as a supportive character, is given a voice in this novel. He is not just Achilles’ companion but an empathetic individual. In The Iliad, Patroclus is recognized as a strong warrior admired by Achilles (8). However, in the novel, he stays in the Greek camp at Troy, caring for the wounded rather than seeking glory for himself.

Objects

Oil painting of Achilles playing the lyre by Gerard de Lairesse (1680) (10)

Achilles’ armor and lyre represent the two paths pulling at him: his fate as a warrior and his desire for a life beyond battle. His armor, a strong symbol of Greek heroism, embodies the expectations placed on him by the gods, his mother Thetis, and others. It is both a protective tool and a heavy burden, representing a destiny he cannot escape. When Patroclus wears it in battle, the armor becomes a tragic symbol of mistaken identity and foreshadows Achilles' grief-driven revenge. On the other hand, Achilles’ lyre reveals his gentler, more human side (2). Through his music and quiet moments shared with Patroclus, we see Achilles longing for a peaceful life away from conflict. Together, these objects highlight the central tension in the novel. Achilles is both a mortal man capable of love and a legendary warrior destined for an early death (2). The contrast between the armor and the lyre reminds us that even the greatest heroes are shaped not just by war, but by their dreams, sacrifices, and the love that defines them.

Themes 

Miller also does a remarkable job of reinterpreting the themes of fate and heroism. In ancient myths, gods and warriors often act out of a sense of duty to fate, which feels distant and impersonal. However, in the novel, fate feels more like a personal struggle. The characters understand their roles but grapple with the pain of loss and what their lives mean. While rage and pride often dominate Achilles' character in The Iliad, Miller explores how love complicates his sense of duty (8). This internal conflict between personal desires and heroic expectations makes him relatable to modern readers, who value emotional depth over traditional ideals of masculinity and honor. By humanizing fate, Miller raises broader questions about life, love, and sacrifice that resonate today. Ultimately, Achilles’ heroism is not glorified. Instead, it is portrayed as a personal tragedy that comes with a heavy cost after Patroclus' death. By showing how heroism and violence affect individuals, Miller critiques the usual glorification of war and heroism in a fresh and relevant way.

Adding Depth to Greek Mythology

10-feet statue of Achilles in London, UK by Richard Westmacott (1822) (13)

One of the most effective aspects of Song of Achilles is how it challenges traditional views of heroism in Greek mythology. In these myths, heroism is often defined by strength in battle and the pursuit of glory at any cost (8). Achilles, nearly unbeatable in combat, embodies this concept. However, in this novel, Achilles is more than just a warrior; he is a young man caught between love and duty, aware that his fate is already sealed. This more nuanced portrayal allows the story to explore the emotional side of heroism, asking questions about what sacrifices are worth making for the sake of glory and whether that glory is even worth pursuing at all.

Ultimately, Miller has created a work that not only pays homage to the ancient myth but also makes it feel relevant to modern readers, offering a new perspective on classic themes. Whether you're familiar with the Iliad or coming to these characters for the first time, The Song of Achilles is a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of Greek mythology and its ability to evolve with the times.

Works Cited

(1) “Achilles Lamenting the Death of Patroclus.” National Galleries of Scotland, www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/5009.

(2) Blackwood, Nicole. “LitCharts.” LitCharts, 18 Mar. 2021, www.litcharts.com/lit/the-song-of-achilles/symbols/the-lyre.

(3) Cartwright, Mark. “Agamemnon (Person).” World History Encyclopedia, 18 Sept. 2018, www.worldhistory.org/Agamemnon_(Person)/.

(4) Edu, World History. “Paris of Troy - World History Edu.” World History Edu, 29 Nov. 2024, worldhistoryedu.com/paris-of-troy/. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

(5). “Relationship between Achilles and Patroclus - World History Edu.” World History Edu, 16 Nov. 2024, worldhistoryedu.com/relationship-between-achilles-and-patroclus/.

(6) Hoke, Casey. “Achilles Binding Patroclus’ Wounds (500 BCE).” Queer Art History, 14 July 2018, www.queerarthistory.com/love-between-men/achilles-binding-patroclus-wounds-500-bce/.

(7) Kapach, Avi. “Hector.” Mythopedia, 13 July 2023, mythopedia.com/topics/hector.

(8) Lafferty, Aaron. “The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – Diotíma.” Diotima-Doctafemina.org, 2019, diotima-doctafemina.org/reviews/literature-review/the-song-of-achilles-by-madeline-miller/.

(9) Masi, Holly. “Achilles.” Blogspot.com, 19 Feb. 2025, cu-honors220-s25.blogspot.com/2025/02/achilles-great-greek-warrior-ancient.html. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

(10) MeisterDrucke. “Achilles Playing a Lyre before Patroclus.” MeisterDrucke, 2025, www.meisterdrucke.us/fine-art-prints/Gerard-de-Lairesse/1011170/Achilles-Playing-a-Lyre-Before-Patroclus.html. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

(11) Miate, Liana. “Patroclus.” World History Encyclopedia, 22 Sept. 2022, www.worldhistory.org/Patroclus/.

(12) Miller, Madeline. “Madeline Miller - the Song of Achilles.” Madeline Miller, madelinemiller.com/the-song-of-achilles/.

(13) Vera, Marcos. “Alojamientos En Londres. Residencias En Kensington.” Firsteplondon.com, 2 Apr. 2021, www.firsteplondon.com/parque-hyde-park-londres.html. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.