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CHAPTER FIVE → THE SONG OF ACHILLES
His spear, as he began the first pass, moved faster than my eye could follow. It whirled, flashing forward, reversed, then flashed behind. The shaft seemed to flow in his hands, the dark gray point flickered like a snake’s tongue. His feet beat the ground like a dancer, never still. I could not move, watching. I almost did not breathe. His face was calm and blank, not tensed with effort. His movements were so precise I could almost see the men he fought, ten, twenty of them, advancing on all sides. He leapt, scything his spear, even as his other hand snatched the sword from its sheath. He swung out with them both, moving like liquid, like a fish through the waves.
“Bring him back to me,' he told them.”
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
You're scaring us and all of us, some of us love you. Achilles, it's not much but there's proof.
— Achilles Come Down, Gangs of Youth
Tamino Amir as Patroclus
"The summer grew hotter, and we sought the river’s shade, its water that threw off arcs of light as we splashed and dove. The rocks of the bottom were mossy and cool, rolling beneath my toes as I waded. We shouted, and frightened the fish, who fled to their muddy holes or quieter waters upstream. The rushing ice melt of spring was gone; I lay on my back and let the dozy current carry me. I liked the feel of the sun on my stomach and the cool depths of the river beneath me. Achilles floated beside me or swam against the slow tug of the river’s flow."
— Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
“Go," she says. "He waits for you.”
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
Bonus:
—Tamino, The First Disciple
AN: Honestly, I wonder if it’s just me, but I can't help but view Tamino’s new song with a ‘Song of Achilles’ eye. It’s as if Patroclus is speaking to or about Achilles — discussing how Achilles yielded to his on-going fame, allowing it to poison his mind and affect his decisions. Patroclus saw how his lover’s desire for glory changed him. He enjoyed the growing attention and the groups of warriors that surrounded him. But nevertheless, it took for Patroclus’ death to help Achilles understand that fame and glory was nothing compared to the love that he shared with his companion.
Μου λείπεις
“That is — your friend?" "Philtatos," Achilles replied, sharply. Most beloved.”
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
“When he speaks at last, his voice is weary, and defeated. “
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
BROTHER-IN-ARMS
“Therapon was the word he used. A brother-in-arms sworn to a prince by blood oaths and love. In war, these men were his honor guard; in peace, his closest advisers. It was a place of highest esteem, another reason the boys swarmed Peleus’ son, showing off; they hoped to be chosen.”
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
He is half of my soul, as the poets say
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
I am horrified. What have I done? But I do not have time to apologize. He stands and steps backwards. His face has closed over, impenetrable and distant, freezing the explanations in my mouth.
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
Relief broke in his face, and he reached for me. I let him hold me, let him press us length to length so close that nothing might fit between us.
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
“You have killed him and taken your vengeance. It is enough.” “It will never be enough,” he says.
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
There was more to say, but for once we did not say it. There would be other times for speaking, tonight and tomorrow and all the days after that.
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
CHAPTER TWO → THE SONG OF ACHILLES
My attention wandered to the dais, where I noticed, for the first time, the three veiled women seated at Tyndareus’ side. I stared at the white cloth over their faces, as if I might be able to catch some glimpse of the woman behind it. My father wanted one of them for my wife. Three sets of hands, prettily adorned with bracelets, lay quiet in their laps. One of the women was taller than the other two. I thought I saw a stray dark curl peek from beneath the bottom of her veil. Helen is light haired, I remembered. So that one was not Helen. I had ceased to listen to the kings
