There’s something truly magical about how Madeline Miller managed to breathe new life into the ancient Greek tale of Achilles and Patroclus, reintroducing these mythic figures and making their joys and sorrows our own. While reading her beautifully written novel, we cannot help but ache with Patroclus, feel the fiery pride of Achilles, and marvel at the rich, lyrical prose that weaves their destinies together.
In fact, we love this book so much that we’ve put together a list of our favorite quotes from “The Song of Achilles”. These lines are the moments that made us pause, reflect, and often reach for a tissue while reading. Whether you’re revisiting these passages or here to discover them for the first time, we are sure they’ll show you why this novel holds such a special place in our hearts.
The love between Achilles and Patroclus is the very beating heart of this story. And we believe that the following book quotes beautifully capture the depth of their bond, the way they see and understand each other, from young boys to fully-fledged men.
“Those seconds, half seconds, that the line of our gaze connected, were the only moment in my day that I felt anything at all.”
“Achilles’ eyes were bright in the firelight, his face drawn sharply by the flickering shadows. I would know it in dark or disguise, I told myself. I would know it even in madness.”
“He is half of my soul, as the poets say.”
This quote highlights the profound connection that transcends mere friendship, marking Patroclus and Achilles as soulmates.
“When he speaks at last, his voice is weary, and defeated. He doesn’t know how to be angry with me, either. We are like damp wood that won’t light.”
“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”
The intimacy described here shows how deeply Patroclus knows Achilles, emphasizing a bond that is both physical and spiritual.
“We were like gods at the dawning of the world, and our joy was so bright we could see nothing else but the other.”
This all-time- favorite line captures the pure, almost divine joy they found in each other, a happiness that eclipsed all else.
“I will never leave him. It will be this, always, for as long as he will let me.” Patroclus’
Unwavering loyalty to Achilles was truly heartbreaking.
“This, I say. This and this. The way his hair looked in summer sun. His face when he ran. His eyes, solemn as an owl at lessons. This and this and this. So many moments of happiness, crowding forward.”
This quote perfectly distills their relationship to its core, expressing a love that is eternal and unbreakable.
“He smiled, and his face was like the sun.”
“I would still be with you. But I could sleep outside, so it would not be so obvious. I do not need to attend your councils. I—”
“No. The Phthians will not care. And the others can talk all they like. I will still be Aristos Achaion.” Best of the Greeks.
“Your honor could be darkened by it.”
“Then it is darkened.” His jaw shot forward, stubborn. “They are fools if they let my glory rise or fall on this.”
“That is — your friend?"
“Philtatos,” Achilles replied, sharply. Most beloved.”
This simple yet elegant quote is just another one of the many reasons we believe “The Song of Achilles” is one of the best LGBTQ+ romance stories out there. What makes Miller’s depiction of their love so powerful and important is the way she normalizes their bond within the context of the story, making it an extension of the character’s identities and lives.
“We reached for each other, and I thought of how many nights I had lain awake loving him in silence.”
“He looked different in sleep, beautiful but cold as moonlight. I found myself wishing he would wake so that I might watch the life return.”
“Later, Achilles pressed close for a final, drowsy whisper. 'If you have to go, you know I will go with you.' We slept.”
“In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun.”
Loss is a powerful theme in the novel and the pain of separation and death is poignantly depicted through the following quotes. They remind us of the heavy price of love and the deep sorrow that often comes with it.
“There is no law that gods must be fair, Achilles,” Chiron said. “And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone. Do you think?”
These lines speak to the enduring pain of surviving the loss of a loved one, a central theme in the novel.
“Achilles’ eyes lift. They are bloodshot and dead. “I wish he had let you all die.”
“I am made of memories.”
Patroclus emphasizes how memories shape our identity, especially after losing someone we love.
“When I am dead, I charge you to mingle our ashes and bury us together.”
“When he died, all things soft and beautiful and bright would be buried with him.”
“Achilles weeps. He cradles me, and will not eat, nor speak a word other than my name.”
“I have done it," she says. At first I do not understand. But then I see the tomb, and the marks she has made on the stone. A C H I L L E S, it reads. And beside it, P A T R O C L U S. "Go," she says. "He waits for you."
Achilles’ pursuit of glory and the inescapable nature of fate are central to his character. These quotes delve into the heroic, yet tragic, aspects of Achilles’ journey, highlighting the complexities of his destiny.
“I will go,” he said. “I will go to Troy.”
The rosy gleam of his lip, the fevered green of his eyes. There was not a line anywhere on his face, nothing creased or graying; all crisp. He was spring, golden and bright. Envious death would drink his blood, and grow young again.
He was watching me, his eyes as deep as earth.
“Will you come with me?” he asked.
The never-ending ache of love and sorrow. Perhaps in some other life I could have refused, could have torn my hair and screamed, and made him face his choice alone. But not in this one. He would sail to Troy and I would follow, even into death. “Yes,” I whispered. “Yes.”
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.
Tears came, and fell. Above us, the constellations spun and the moon paced her weary course. We lay stricken and sleepless as the hours passed.”
“Name one hero who was happy."
“You can't.” He was sitting up now, leaning forward.
“I can't.”
“I know. They never let you be famous AND happy.” He lifted an eyebrow. “I'll tell you a secret.”
“Tell me.” I loved it when he was like this.
“I'm going to be the first.” He took my palm and held it to his. “Swear it.”
“Why me?”
“Because you're the reason. Swear it.”
“I swear it”
“You will never gain fame from your logic. But your death will be long remembered.”
This quote perfectly reflects the fatalistic nature of Greek heroism, where the pursuit of glory often overshadows any kind of practical wisdom.
“She wants you to be a god,” I told him.
“I know.” His face twisted with embarrassment, and in spite of itself my heart lightened. It was such a boyish response. And so human. Parents, everywhere.
“There is no law that gods must be fair, Achilles.”
This quote captures the harsh reality of the gods’ capriciousness, a recurring theme in Greek mythology that underscores the vulnerability of mortals.
“We are all wounded by the same sword.”
This quote encapsulates the shared suffering and interconnectedness of the characters, emphasizing the universal nature of pain and loss.
“Odysseus inclines his head. "True. But fame is a strange thing. Some men gain glory after they die, while others fade. What is admired in one generation is abhorred in another." He spread his broad hands. "We cannot say who will survive the holocaust of memory. Who knows?" He smiles. "Perhaps one day even I will be famous. Perhaps more famous than you.”
“Afterwards, when Agamemnon would ask him when he would confront the prince of Troy, he would smile his most guileless, maddening smile. “What has Hector ever done to me?
“It was almost like fear, in the way it filled me, rising in my chest. It was almost like tears, in how swiftly it came. But it was neither of those, buoyant where they were heavy, bright were they dull.”
“We are all there, goddess and mortal and the boy who was both.” This line reflects on the characters' intertwined destinies, explaining the blend of divinity and humanity that defines Achilles.
“There are no bargains between lion and men. I will kill you and eat you raw.”
“He is a weapon, a killer. Do not forget it. You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature.”
“Chiron had said once that nations were the most foolish of mortal inventions. "No man is worth more than another, wherever he is from.”
“He is more worth to you, perhaps. But the stranger is someone else's friend and brother. So which life is more important?”
“I stopped watching for ridicule, the scorpion's tail hidden in his words. He said what he meant; he was puzzled if you did not. Some people might have mistaken this for simplicity. But is it not a sort of genius to cut always to the heart?”
As this love letter article makes quite obvious, “The Song of Achilles” is literally packed with heartwrenching quotes that stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. Madeline Miller has managed to perfectly bring to life the deep love, heartbreaking loss, and timeless heroism of Achilles and Patroclus. These quotes from her writing remind us why we fell in love with their story in the first place and why this book continues to touch so many hearts.
For more bookish deep dives and posts like this one, join our crewfiction newsletter!
One of the most beloved quotes from “The Song of Achilles” in our humble opinion, is:
“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”
This quote is cherished by readers for depicting the deep, intimate connection between Achilles and Patroclus. It captures the essence of their relationship, a love that transcends the physical realm and lasts even at the end of the world.
“He is half of my soul, as the poets say.”
This quote beautifully sums up just how deeply connected they are. It’s not just about friendship or love—it's like they’re two halves of the same being. It perfectly highlights how essential they are to each other, making their bond feel incredibly real and profound.
“In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun.”
It’s such a beautiful and moving ending. The very last line perfectly describes the idea that Achilles and Patroclus’ love shines brightly even in the darkest times, and that their connection endures beyond death. It’s a powerful and emotional conclusion to their story.
As this love letter article makes quite obvious, “The Song of Achilles” is literally packed with heartwrenching quotes that stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. Madeline Miller has managed to perfectly bring to life the deep love, heartbreaking loss, and timeless heroism of Achilles and Patroclus. These quotes from her writing remind us why we fell in love with their story in the first place and why this book continues to touch so many hearts.
For more bookish deep dives and posts like this one, join our crewfiction newsletter!
First and foremost, Nina is a reader; she devours literature with gusto, from classic novels to contemporary poetry to graphic novels and everything in between. She believes that within each story, there's a universe waiting to be explored, and loves exploring with company. She's often found sharing her perspective on characters, plot twists, and literary themes with friends. When her friends get tired of listening to her ranting, she writes blog posts sharing her explorations with the other bookworms of the internet. In recent years she has developed an inexplicable addiction to matcha lattes, but has asked us not to talk about that.
