The Song of Achilles audiobook cover - A Novel

The Song of Achilles

A Novel

Madeline Miller

★ 4.3 / 5(52 ratings)
Start ListeningDownloadQR code that opens AudiobookHub on the App StoreTry free on iPhoneScan to start in 5 seconds
Categories:
Society & CultureHistory

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

Listen to The Song of Achilles — Free Audiobook

Loading player...

Key Takeaways from The Song of Achilles

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from The Song of Achilles

Mind Map

The Song of Achilles
Overview & Themes+
Early Years & Connection+
The Call to Destiny+
War & Conflict+
Tragic Fates+
Aftermath & Resolution+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What unique perspective does Madeline Miller use to retell the story of the Trojan War in 'The Song of Achilles'?
  • A. The story is told from the perspective of the gods, highlighting their interference in human affairs.
  • B. The narrative focuses on the political strategies of Agamemnon and the Greek kings.
  • C. The events are seen through the eyes of Patroclus, emphasizing his deep romantic bond with Achilles.
  • D. The novel reimagines Achilles as a pacifist who constantly tries to stop the war.
Question 2 of 7
What terrible dilemma is Achilles forced to resolve before joining the Greek army?
  • A. He must choose between living a long, obscure life or dying young but achieving immortal fame.
  • B. He must decide whether to fight for the Greeks or defect to the Trojans to marry Helen.
  • C. He must choose between saving the life of Patroclus or the life of his mother, Thetis.
  • D. He must decide if he is willing to sacrifice his royal title to live as a common soldier.
Question 3 of 7
Why does Achilles initially claim the Trojan woman Briseis as his war prize?
  • A. He wants to intentionally insult Agamemnon by taking the most beautiful captive.
  • B. He falls in love with her and secretly wishes to make her his wife.
  • C. He needs a skilled servant to tend to his armor and weapons after battles.
  • D. Patroclus urges him to intervene to save her from a life of sexual slavery.
Question 4 of 7
What event causes Achilles to withdraw from the battlefield in the ninth year of the war?
  • A. He is severely injured by a poisoned arrow and requires time to heal.
  • B. Agamemnon insults Achilles's honor by demanding Briseis in exchange for returning a priest's daughter.
  • C. Thetis forbids him from fighting until the Trojan prince Hector is dead.
  • D. Achilles realizes the war is unjust and refuses to kill any more innocent Trojans.
Question 5 of 7
What sequence of events leads directly to the death of Patroclus?
  • A. He challenges Hector to a one-on-one duel to prove his worth as a warrior.
  • B. He tries to assassinate Agamemnon in his tent but is caught by the guards.
  • C. He fights in Achilles's armor, attempts to climb the walls of Troy, is knocked down by Apollo, and is speared by Hector.
  • D. He wanders into the woods with Briseis and is ambushed by Paris and his men.
Question 6 of 7
How does Achilles react to the knowledge that killing Hector will guarantee his own death?
  • A. He hesitates and attempts to capture Hector alive to avoid the prophecy.
  • B. He embraces it, knowing that with Patroclus gone, he has nothing left to live for.
  • C. He begs his mother, Thetis, to intervene and change his fate.
  • D. He tries to make a peace pact with Paris to end the war immediately.
Question 7 of 7
How is Patroclus's soul finally able to reunite with Achilles in the underworld?
  • A. Achilles escapes the underworld to bring Patroclus down with him.
  • B. The Greek army builds a separate, equally grand monument for Patroclus.
  • C. Achilles's mother, Thetis, carves Patroclus's name onto Achilles's tombstone.
  • D. Briseis performs a secret burial ritual that frees Patroclus's spirit.

The Song of Achilles — Full Chapter Overview

The Song of Achilles Summary & Overview

The Song of Achilles (2011) is a creative retelling of Homer’s Iliad. The epic tale of the Trojan War is transformed into a moving love story, told from the perspective of Patroclus, the beloved companion of the Greek hero Achilles.

Who Should Listen to The Song of Achilles?

  • Hopeless romantics
  • Fans of Greek mythology
  • Anyone interested in the Iliad and the Trojan War

About the Author: Madeline Miller

Madeline Miller studied Classics at Brown University and went on to teach Latin and Greek. Her novels, The Song of Achilles and Circe, are adaptations of Greek myths and were both New York Times best sellers.

🎧
Listen in the AppOffline playback & background play
Get App