The Song of Achilles

After Achilles’s departure, Patroclus does not know whether he should return to the dormitory. The smell of the sea haunts him. Desperate to escape it, he decides to leave the palace, racing along the interior road towards Mount Pelion. Realizing that he will not be able to catch up with Achilles, he stops running and hears “the sound of stealth” (65). A body slams into Patroclus, pinning him gently to the ground. It is Achilles. He tells Patroclus, “I hoped that you would come” (66). Chiron appears and asks Achilles if this is why he has not yet come to the training mountain. Patroclus realizes that Achilles has been waiting for him. Achilles introduces Patroclus to Chiron, saying that he had to wait for his companion. Chiron greets Patroclus with his patronymic, Patroclus Menoitiades, and invites the boys to ride on his back up the mountain.

Near the peak, Chiron stops in a grove and leads them into a cave crafted of “pale rose quartz” (70). Inside are bronze medical implements, cooking pots, musical instruments, and a bed for Achilles. A spring provides fresh water, and the boys drink and eat a stew that Chiron has prepared for them. Patroclus expresses a desire to learn medicine while Achilles asks Chiron to teach him music. In the late afternoon, he takes the boys on a tour of the area, ending at a river where they bathe. As they return to the cave, Chiron continues to provide lessons, pointing out animal tracks that the boys will need to know in order to hunt.

Back at the cave, they eat more stew for dinner. Chiron reveals that Thetis sent him a message to bar the exiled son of Menoitius should he follow Achilles. Assuming the boys knew her feelings, he tells them that he does not like to be deceived. Patroclus takes responsibility for following Achilles, saying that Achilles did not know he would follow him. Achilles ask what Thetis’s objection is. Chiron replies that she does not believe a mortal is a suitable companion for her son, then asks Achilles what he thinks. Achilles immediately replies that Patroclus is a suitable companion, and Chiron agrees, though he acknowledges that Thetis will be angry. Patroclus worries about the consequences for Chiron, who in turn recommends Patroclus not relinquish what he has won.

The following day, Chiron begins teaching Achilles and Patroclus. They help with chores such as gathering berries, fishing, and setting traps. They prepare meals. When one of them is hurt, they learn medical treatments and healing methods. In the evenings, Chiron tells them stories about the constellations and the myths associated with them. When Chiron tells the story of Heracles, who went mad and murdered his wife and sons, Achilles remarks at the unfairness of his family being punished instead of Heracles himself. Chiron points out that the gods are not obliged to be fair, though being left behind in grief may be the worse punishment. He tells the legend of Asclepius, who received credit that rightly belonged to his teacher, Chiron. Achilles asks if that bothers Chiron. Smiling, he says it does not.

One autumn day, when Patroclus is alone in the clearing, Thetis appears. She tells him that he was not meant to follow Achilles. Chiron arrives and tells Patroclus to return to the cave. Once there, he informs Achilles that his mother has arrived. Achilles leaves to see her, returning later in the afternoon with Chiron. Patroclus is afraid that Thetis revealed his kiss with Achilles to Chiron, but neither his nor Achilles’s demeanor has changed. Chiron explains that from now on Thetis will visit more frequently. While Patroclus does not begrudge her visiting her son, he makes sure not to be alone with her and feels better after she has left.

Winter arrives, bringing snow and freezing over the river. Chiron teaches them to read the signs of spring. When the grass begins to grow again, and the days grow warmer, Achilles asks Chiron to teach the boys to fight. He agrees, and after watching the boys drill with their practice swords and spear-shafts, he announces that he has nothing to teach Achilles. He is “the greatest warrior of your generation, and all the generations before” (85), more skilled even than Heracles. Chiron warns Achilles that other men will ask him to fight their wars for them. Chiron tells Patroclus that he will never gain fame for his fighting but can learn to become a competent soldier. When asked if he wishes to learn, Patroclus admits that he does not, and their “lessons in soldiery” (85) end.

Spring yields to summer, and messengers arrive from Peleus’s palace bearing lavish gifts. Achilles notes that they have been gone for almost a year. Patroclus asks if he misses the palace. Achilles admits that he expected to but does not, prompting agreement from Patroclus. Two years pass.

When the boys are 15, Patroclus notices that Achilles has begun to look older. Achilles notes the same of Patroclus, pointing out differences in his body. Aroused by Achilles’s attention, Patroclus abruptly moves away. Achilles observes that Patroclus “would not be displeased” (88) with how he looks now.

When they turn 16, the boys will be considered men. A marriage will likely be arranged for Achilles, and Patroclus can also choose to marry. He recalls a conversation about sex he overheard from the foster boys at Peleus’s palace and reflects that for him there is only Achilles. He remembers how Achilles ran from him at the beach and thinks, too, of Thetis’s disapproval. On Achilles’s 16th birthday, he receives gifts from Peleus, Chiron, and Patroclus. A few nights later, Achilles and Patroclus sit by the fire late into the night. Achilles, who had visited with Thetis earlier that day, plays his lyre. When Chiron yawns, Achilles excuses himself and Patroclus, saying that they will leave Chiron to his rest. Patroclus is surprised, since Achilles rarely speaks on his companion’s behalf.

Back at the cave, Achilles tells Patroclus that Thetis cannot see them in the cave as she saw them on the beach. Patroclus realizes that this is an invitation, and they go to bed together. After, Achilles asks Patroclus if he is sorry, and he is not. Neither is Achilles. Patroclus knows then that as long as Achilles wants him, Patroclus will never leave him. The next morning, Patroclus worries that the spell will be broken, but Achilles reaches for his hand. They go to the river to swim together, and Patroclus revels in being able to admire and enjoy Achilles openly.

Patroclus worries that Chiron will be angry. Achilles does not care either way since he will not stop loving Patroclus. Likewise, neither his father nor his mother’s disapproval concerns him. This shocks Patroclus, who cannot fathom disregarding a father’s disapproval. Achilles asks Patroclus to name a hero who was happy, and he cannot. Achilles says the gods “never let you be famous and happy” (98), but he determines to be the first, because of Patroclus.

A trumpet sounds in the distance. A messenger from Peleus has come to fetch Achilles. He explains that messengers from Mycenae have arrived at Phthia, and Peleus has called an assembly that Achilles must attend. He and Patroclus prepare to go, telling Chiron that they expect to be back in a few days. Chiron again asks Achilles to consider what he will do when asked to fight other men’s wars. To Patroclus, Chiron notes that he no longer gives up what he wants so easily and wishes him well.