Theme
This powerful theme explores the deep emotional and romantic bond between Achilles and Patroclus.
What is love?
“He is half of my soul, as the poets say.” This quote reveals the depth of this character’s love and connection to Achilles.
Who is Patroclus?
A character that fits both the anti hero and epic hero archetypes.
Who is Achilles?
This theme involves characters going against fate or trying to change their destiny, often leading to tragedy.
What is fate versus free will?
“There was something in _____’s face, firm and calm and imbued with authority, that made us children again, with no world beyond this moment’s play and this night’s dinner.” (77)
Who is Chiron?
As the loyal companion and moral center, this character fits the faithful friend or narrator-prophet archetype.
Who is Patroclus?
Achilles struggles with his desire for eternal glory and the cost it brings, reflecting this central theme.
What is honor and legacy
“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.” This line shows the narrator’s deep familiarity and devotion to this character.
Who is Achilles?
This wise and ancient centaur trains heroes and represents the mentor archetype.
Who is Chiron?
Patroclus often feels lesser than Achilles, highlighting this theme related to social structure and personal value.
What is identity and self-worth?
“There were a thousand things I might have said, to reproach [Achilles] for his naivete. […] Anyone else would have known that _____ acted for his/her own purposes only. How could he be so foolish?” (Miller 135)
Who is Thetis?
Thetis, Achilles’ mother, fits this archetype, often seen as protective, divine, and controlling.
What is the divine parent or goddess mother archetype?
Seen in both war and personal loss, this theme underscores the emotional cost of conflict and mortality.
What is grief and sacrifice?
“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.” This quote warns about Achilles' true role and nature in the story.
Who is Chiron?
The Trojan War itself acts as this archetype, symbolizing a larger-than-life conflict that tests heroes and reshapes fate.
What is the epic quest or hero’s journey archetype?