Something I Think Is Underrated From The Song Of Achilles, Is This Conversation Between Odysseus And

In one of the earlier chapters of The Song of Achilles, Achilles shows Patroclus how he trains, and Patroclus asks Achilles to fight him. In response Achilles says “I will not. Do not ask me again”. Which I wouldn’t think about so much if later in the book Achilles didn’t say “I will not do this. Do not ask again”. When Patroclus was begging him to rejoin the war.

I’ve been thinking about this for days.

I have watched to many animated shows to not see Agamemnon and Odysseus like this:

It’s a problem

It’s kinda sad to think that the thing Patroclus compared Achilles to the most was partially the reason why he died.

“his beauty shone like a flame, vital and bright”

“his bright eyes, the warm mischief of his smiles”

“there was bright pleasure in his eyes”

“ And this time when I look up, the god is not smiling. Fingers scoop the fabric of my tunic and hold me, dangling. Then let me fall.”

Another great conversation between Odysseus and Diomedes:

“Your loss,” Odysseus called after him. “Don’t mind him. His wife’s a hellhound bitch, and that would sour anyone’s temper. Now, my wife—“

“I swear.” Diomedes’ voice carried back up the length of the ship. “If you finish that sentence, I will throw you over the side and you can swim to Troy.”

“See?” Odysseus shook his head. “Sour.”

I’ve always been TERRIFIED of drawing/writing in books, but I am currently annotating my copy of The Song of Achilles, and, it’s actually really fun. I thought I’d regret “ruining a book” but I feel the exact opposite. I’ve been looking at the pages I’ve annotated so far and it’s making me the happiest I’ve been in a while. It feels like my love for the book is finally able to be expressed, and I love it.

“Oh yes,” Odysseus called over his shoulder. “You’re welcome to bring Patroclus along, if you like”

Odysseus just took one look at them and knew.