The Song of Achilles

Patroclus recalls the story of his parents’ marriage. His father, Menoitius, was a king who married Patroclus’s mother when she was fourteen because she was proven “to be fruitful” (1). His father did not care that his young bride was “quite stupid” (1), but he did not allow her to hold Patroclus when he was born. Patroclus’s small stature and lack of strength and singing ability made him a disappointment to his father. His best quality was his heartiness; illnesses that struck his peers never seemed to affect him.

When Patroclus was 5, his father hosted the Panhellenic games. Patroclus recalls one of the runners, a handsome, golden-haired youth (later revealed to be Achilles) who won the foot race. The youth’s father, King Peleus, was proud of his son, provoking envy in both Patroclus and his father.

Patroclus’s only other early memories are “scattered images from his life” (3). He remembers skipping stones for his mother and spending time with her along the Aegean coastline. Patroclus reflects that this is his only specific memory of his mother, and he doubts its veracity since he cannot believe his father would have left the two of them alone together.