The Song of Achilles - Ending Interpretation Spoilers (as…
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The Song of Achilles - Ending Interpretation
Spoilers (as the title implies):
What do you make of this line at the end of The Song of Achilles? It’s right before Thetis inscribes Patroclus’s name on the tomb. It reads:
“We watch the light sink into the grave of the western sky. ‘I could not make him a god,’ she says. Her jagged voice, rich with grief. *But you made him.* She does not answer me for a long time…” \[and then she carves his name into the tomb\]
What do you make of “*But you made him?”*
It’s in italics, so I assume that’s Patroclus’s voice.. is “*But you made him”* meant to be kind, like Patroclus essentially praising her for giving birth to someone he loves so deeply? Or is it pleading, like “you’re a goddess, why couldn’t you make him immortal??” (Even though that goes against the order of things). I initially believed it was the latter - pleading - like he’s still in denial about Achilles’ death & wished it was some other way.
But I’ve also seen some people online interpret it as “*But you \[Patroclus\] made him” -* as in she gave birth to him, but it was Patroclus who made him the person he actually was. Which is a beautiful and heart wrenching sentiment, though I feel the italics negate this reading..
How did you interpret it? I’m curious.
#entertainment
Spoilers (as the title implies):
What do you make of this line at the end of The Song of Achilles? It’s right before Thetis inscribes Patroclus’s name on the tomb. It reads:
“We watch the light sink into the grave of the western sky. ‘I could not make him a god,’ she says. Her jagged voice, rich with grief. *But you made him.* She does not answer me for a long time…” \[and then she carves his name into the tomb\]
What do you make of “*But you made him?”*
It’s in italics, so I assume that’s Patroclus’s voice.. is “*But you made him”* meant to be kind, like Patroclus essentially praising her for giving birth to someone he loves so deeply? Or is it pleading, like “you’re a goddess, why couldn’t you make him immortal??” (Even though that goes against the order of things). I initially believed it was the latter - pleading - like he’s still in denial about Achilles’ death & wished it was some other way.
But I’ve also seen some people online interpret it as “*But you \[Patroclus\] made him” -* as in she gave birth to him, but it was Patroclus who made him the person he actually was. Which is a beautiful and heart wrenching sentiment, though I feel the italics negate this reading..
How did you interpret it? I’m curious.
#entertainment
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