“The Song of Achilles” is a beautifully written novel by Madeline Miller. The novel tells a story of Greek hero Achilles and his inseparable companion Patroclus. It’s a compelling tale of friendship, love, and war, filled with its fair share of memorable quotes. Here is a list of the 20 most popular quotes from “The Song of Achilles”:
1. “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.”
2. “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.”
3. “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.”
4. “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.”
5. “I will tell them nothing of your beauty, or the poignancy of your death. I will tell them only of your deeds.”
6. “There are too many of us, it’s true. There are always too many of us.”
7. “But perhaps you are fallen, and have only yet to realize it.”
8. “We reached for each other, and I thought of how many nights I had lain awake in this room loving him in silence.”
9. “He is half of my soul, as the poets say.”
10. “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?”
11. “But in the end it’s only a passing thing, this shadow; even darkness must pass.”
12. “I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”
13. “Divine blood purified our dirty mortal wounds, healed them in moments.”
14. “There are no bargains between lions and men. I will kill you and eat you raw.”
15. “When he died, all things soft and beautiful and bright would be buried with him.”
16. “She used to talk about the gods as if she knew them, Chiron said. But then, we talked about the gods as if we did not.”
17. “But what if he is your friend, and the destruction of the friend is the destruction of yourself?”
18. “I am made of memories.”
19. “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.”
20. “Love is a beautiful liar.”
These quotes capture the heart and essence of this profound novel, underscoring themes like love, friendship, grief, and the complexities of human nature. Whether you’re new to the book or an existing fan, these quotes are sure to evoke the emotional depth and literary brilliance of “The Song of Achilles”.