The Song of Achilles

by

Madeline Miller

Thetis Character Analysis

Thetis is a sea-nymph and mother to the demigod Achilles; she gave birth to Achilles after the gods forced her to have sex with Peleus. The assault was meant to be a reward for Peleus’s piety, but the gods had ulterior motives: Thetis’s son was prophesized to be more powerful than his father, so they wanted to make sure he was half-mortal. From Patroclus’s perspective, Thetis is frightening and cruel, more a horrific apparition than a woman. The two are constantly at odds, as Thetis disapproves of Achilles’s romantic relationship with Patroclus. She believes that it dishonors Achilles and interferes with her plans for him: she wants to make him a god, which she can only do if he achieves great fame and renown. As a result, she constantly attempts to separate the two, eventually marrying Achilles off to the princess Deidameia and forcing him to have a son with her. Thetis is also protective of her son, as she tries to keep Achilles away from the Trojan War, since she knows he’s fated to die in Troy. When he chooses to go anyway, she devotes all her energy to heightening his fame, shifting his appearance so he seems more godlike and standing watch over him as he fights. She raises Achilles’s son, Pyrrhus, at the same time—when Achilles loses his mind after Patroclus dies, she tells him that Pyrrhus is now her main focus, because Achilles has become too human. Pyrrhus, however, is sadistic and manipulative; his actions disgust even Thetis. She ultimately fails to make either Achilles or Pyrrhus a god, proving that she never really had control over their fates. As is the case with Achilles’s love of Patroclus, Thetis’s ability love of Achilles is her one redeeming quality. After Achilles and Patroclus are both dead, Thetis comes to mourn at their grave, where Patroclus’s spirit remains. She asks him to share his happy memories of Achilles, and despite her hatred for Patroclus, these memories move her. She marks their grave with Patroclus’s name, sending his soul to the underworld with Achilles, where she can’t go herself. This final, selfless act proves her capacity for real love.

Thetis Quotes in The Song of Achilles

The The Song of Achilles quotes below are all either spoken by Thetis or refer to Thetis. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Honor, Pride, and Legacy Theme Icon
).
Chapter 3 Quotes

Its king, Peleus, was one of those men whom the gods love: not divine himself, but clever, brave, handsome, and excelling all his peers in piety. As a reward, our divinities offered him a sea-nymph for a wife. It was considered their highest honor. […] Divine blood purified our muddy race, bred heroes from dust and clay. And this goddess brought a greater promise still: the Fates had foretold that her son would far surpass his father. Peleus' line would be assured. But, like all the gods' gifts, there was an edge to it; the goddess herself was unwilling.

Everyone, even I, had heard the story of Thetis' ravishment. The gods had led Peleus to the secret place where she liked to sit upon the beach. They had warned him not to waste time with overtures—she would never consent to marriage with a mortal.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Achilles, Thetis, Peleus
Page Number: 19
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 5 Quotes

His movements were so precise I could almost see the men he fought, ten, twenty of them, advancing on all sides. He leapt, scything his spear, even as his other hand snatched the sword from its sheath. He swung out with them both, moving like liquid, like a fish through the waves.

He stopped, suddenly. I could hear his breaths, only a little louder than usual, in the still afternoon air.

"Who trained you?" I asked. I did not know what else to say.

"My father, a little."

A little. I felt almost frightened. "No one else?"

"No."

I stepped forward. "Fight me."

He made a sound almost like a laugh. “No. Of course not."

"Fight me." I felt in a trance. He had been trained, a little, by his father. The rest was—what? Divine? This was more of the gods than I had ever seen in my life.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Achilles (speaker), Thetis, Peleus, King Menoitius
Related Symbols: Achilles’s Spear
Page Number: 45-46
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 6 Quotes

Her desire was ambitious. It was a difficult thing, to make even a half-god immortal. True, it had happened before, to Heracles and Orpheus and Orion. They sat in the sky now, presiding as constellations, feasting with the gods on ambrosia. But these men had been the sons of Zeus, their sinews strong with the purest ichor that flowed. Thetis was a lesser of the lesser gods, a sea-nymph only. In our stories these divinities had to work by wheedling and flattery, by favors won from stronger gods. They could not do much themselves. Except live, forever.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Achilles, Thetis, Peleus, Zeus
Page Number: 54-55
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

"Men will hear of your skill, and they will wish for you to fight their wars." He paused. "What will you answer?"

"I do not know," Achilles said.

"That is an answer for now. It will not be good enough later," Chiron said.

[…]

"What about me?" I asked.

Chiron's dark eyes moved to rest on mine. "You will never gain fame from your fighting. Is this surprising to you?"

His tone was matter-of-fact, and somehow that eased the sting of it.

"No," I said truthfully.

"Yet it is not beyond you to be a competent soldier. Do you wish to learn this?"

I thought of the boy's dulled eyes, how quickly his blood had soaked the ground. I thought of Achilles, the greatest warrior of his generation. I thought of Thetis who would take him from me, if she could.

"No," I said.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Achilles (speaker), Chiron (speaker), Thetis, Clysonymus
Page Number: 90-91
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 15 Quotes

My hand closed over his. "You must not kill Hector," I said. He looked up, his beautiful face framed by the gold of his hair.

"My mother told you the rest of the prophecy."

"She did."

"And you think that no one but me can kill Hector."

"Yes," I said.

"And you think to steal time from the Fates?"

"Yes."

"Ah." A sly smile spread across his face; he had always loved defiance. "Well, why should I kill him? He's done nothing to me."

For the first time then, I felt a kind of hope.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Achilles (speaker), Thetis, Hector, Clysonymus
Page Number: 171
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 28 Quotes

It is strange how well she fits there. How easily I touch my lips to her hair, soft and smelling of lavender. She sighs a little, nestles closer. Almost, I can imagine that this is my life, held in the sweet circle of her arms. I would marry her, and we would have a child.

Perhaps if I had never known Achilles.

[…]

She draws down the blanket, releasing me into the air. She cups my face in her hands. “Be careful tomorrow,” she says. “Best of men. Best of the Myrmidons.”

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Briseis (speaker), Achilles, Thetis, Agamemnon
Page Number: 314
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 31 Quotes

Her skin is whiter than I have ever seen it. “Do not be a fool. It is only my power that—”

“What does it matter?” He cuts her off, snarling. "He is dead. Can your power bring him back?”

“No," she says. "Nothing can.”

He stands. “Do you think I cannot see your rejoicing? I know how you hated him. You have always hated him! If you had not gone to Zeus, he would be alive!”

“He is a mortal,” she says. “And mortals die.”

“I am a mortal!” he screams. “What good is godhead, if it cannot do this? What good are you?”

“I know you are mortal,” she says. She places each cold word as a tile in a mosaic. “I know it better than anyone. I left you too long on Pelion. It has ruined you.”

Related Characters: Achilles (speaker), Thetis (speaker), Patroclus, Odysseus, Chiron, Hector, Pyrrhus, Apollo, Zeus
Page Number: 346-347
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 32 Quotes

“I am sorry for your loss,” Priam says. “And sorry that it was my son who took him from you. Yet I beg you to have mercy. In grief, men must help each other, though they are enemies.”

[…]

Priam's voice is gentle. “It is right to seek peace for the dead. You and I both know there is no peace for those who live after.”

“No,” Achilles whispers.

Nothing moves in the tent; time does not seem to pass. Then Achilles stands. “It is close to dawn, and I do not want you to be in danger as you travel home. I will have my servants prepare your son's body.”

Related Characters: Achilles (speaker), Priam (speaker), Patroclus, Thetis, Chiron, Hector, Heracles
Page Number: 349-350
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 33 Quotes

Others stand at the base to look at the scenes of his life carved on the stone. They are a little hastily done, but clear enough. Achilles killing Memnon, killing Hector, killing Penthesilea. Nothing but death. This is how Pyrrhus’ tomb might look. Is this how he will be remembered?

[…]

You said that Chiron ruined him. You are a goddess, and cold, and know nothing. You are the one who ruined him. Look at how he will be remembered now. Killing Hector, killing Troilus. For things he did cruelly in his grief.

Her face is like stone itself. It does not move. The days rise and fall.

Perhaps such things pass for virtue among the gods. But how is there glory in taking a life? We die so easily. Would you make him another Pyrrhus? Let the stories of him be something more.

"What more?" she says.

For once I am not afraid. What else can she do to me?

Returning Hector's body to Priam, I say. That should be remembered.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Thetis (speaker), Achilles, Hector, Pyrrhus, Priam
Page Number: 365-366
Explanation and Analysis:
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Thetis Quotes in The Song of Achilles

The The Song of Achilles quotes below are all either spoken by Thetis or refer to Thetis. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Honor, Pride, and Legacy Theme Icon
).
Chapter 3 Quotes

Its king, Peleus, was one of those men whom the gods love: not divine himself, but clever, brave, handsome, and excelling all his peers in piety. As a reward, our divinities offered him a sea-nymph for a wife. It was considered their highest honor. […] Divine blood purified our muddy race, bred heroes from dust and clay. And this goddess brought a greater promise still: the Fates had foretold that her son would far surpass his father. Peleus' line would be assured. But, like all the gods' gifts, there was an edge to it; the goddess herself was unwilling.

Everyone, even I, had heard the story of Thetis' ravishment. The gods had led Peleus to the secret place where she liked to sit upon the beach. They had warned him not to waste time with overtures—she would never consent to marriage with a mortal.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Achilles, Thetis, Peleus
Page Number: 19
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 5 Quotes

His movements were so precise I could almost see the men he fought, ten, twenty of them, advancing on all sides. He leapt, scything his spear, even as his other hand snatched the sword from its sheath. He swung out with them both, moving like liquid, like a fish through the waves.

He stopped, suddenly. I could hear his breaths, only a little louder than usual, in the still afternoon air.

"Who trained you?" I asked. I did not know what else to say.

"My father, a little."

A little. I felt almost frightened. "No one else?"

"No."

I stepped forward. "Fight me."

He made a sound almost like a laugh. “No. Of course not."

"Fight me." I felt in a trance. He had been trained, a little, by his father. The rest was—what? Divine? This was more of the gods than I had ever seen in my life.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Achilles (speaker), Thetis, Peleus, King Menoitius
Related Symbols: Achilles’s Spear
Page Number: 45-46
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 6 Quotes

Her desire was ambitious. It was a difficult thing, to make even a half-god immortal. True, it had happened before, to Heracles and Orpheus and Orion. They sat in the sky now, presiding as constellations, feasting with the gods on ambrosia. But these men had been the sons of Zeus, their sinews strong with the purest ichor that flowed. Thetis was a lesser of the lesser gods, a sea-nymph only. In our stories these divinities had to work by wheedling and flattery, by favors won from stronger gods. They could not do much themselves. Except live, forever.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Achilles, Thetis, Peleus, Zeus
Page Number: 54-55
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

"Men will hear of your skill, and they will wish for you to fight their wars." He paused. "What will you answer?"

"I do not know," Achilles said.

"That is an answer for now. It will not be good enough later," Chiron said.

[…]

"What about me?" I asked.

Chiron's dark eyes moved to rest on mine. "You will never gain fame from your fighting. Is this surprising to you?"

His tone was matter-of-fact, and somehow that eased the sting of it.

"No," I said truthfully.

"Yet it is not beyond you to be a competent soldier. Do you wish to learn this?"

I thought of the boy's dulled eyes, how quickly his blood had soaked the ground. I thought of Achilles, the greatest warrior of his generation. I thought of Thetis who would take him from me, if she could.

"No," I said.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Achilles (speaker), Chiron (speaker), Thetis, Clysonymus
Page Number: 90-91
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 15 Quotes

My hand closed over his. "You must not kill Hector," I said. He looked up, his beautiful face framed by the gold of his hair.

"My mother told you the rest of the prophecy."

"She did."

"And you think that no one but me can kill Hector."

"Yes," I said.

"And you think to steal time from the Fates?"

"Yes."

"Ah." A sly smile spread across his face; he had always loved defiance. "Well, why should I kill him? He's done nothing to me."

For the first time then, I felt a kind of hope.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Achilles (speaker), Thetis, Hector, Clysonymus
Page Number: 171
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 28 Quotes

It is strange how well she fits there. How easily I touch my lips to her hair, soft and smelling of lavender. She sighs a little, nestles closer. Almost, I can imagine that this is my life, held in the sweet circle of her arms. I would marry her, and we would have a child.

Perhaps if I had never known Achilles.

[…]

She draws down the blanket, releasing me into the air. She cups my face in her hands. “Be careful tomorrow,” she says. “Best of men. Best of the Myrmidons.”

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Briseis (speaker), Achilles, Thetis, Agamemnon
Page Number: 314
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 31 Quotes

Her skin is whiter than I have ever seen it. “Do not be a fool. It is only my power that—”

“What does it matter?” He cuts her off, snarling. "He is dead. Can your power bring him back?”

“No," she says. "Nothing can.”

He stands. “Do you think I cannot see your rejoicing? I know how you hated him. You have always hated him! If you had not gone to Zeus, he would be alive!”

“He is a mortal,” she says. “And mortals die.”

“I am a mortal!” he screams. “What good is godhead, if it cannot do this? What good are you?”

“I know you are mortal,” she says. She places each cold word as a tile in a mosaic. “I know it better than anyone. I left you too long on Pelion. It has ruined you.”

Related Characters: Achilles (speaker), Thetis (speaker), Patroclus, Odysseus, Chiron, Hector, Pyrrhus, Apollo, Zeus
Page Number: 346-347
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 32 Quotes

“I am sorry for your loss,” Priam says. “And sorry that it was my son who took him from you. Yet I beg you to have mercy. In grief, men must help each other, though they are enemies.”

[…]

Priam's voice is gentle. “It is right to seek peace for the dead. You and I both know there is no peace for those who live after.”

“No,” Achilles whispers.

Nothing moves in the tent; time does not seem to pass. Then Achilles stands. “It is close to dawn, and I do not want you to be in danger as you travel home. I will have my servants prepare your son's body.”

Related Characters: Achilles (speaker), Priam (speaker), Patroclus, Thetis, Chiron, Hector, Heracles
Page Number: 349-350
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 33 Quotes

Others stand at the base to look at the scenes of his life carved on the stone. They are a little hastily done, but clear enough. Achilles killing Memnon, killing Hector, killing Penthesilea. Nothing but death. This is how Pyrrhus’ tomb might look. Is this how he will be remembered?

[…]

You said that Chiron ruined him. You are a goddess, and cold, and know nothing. You are the one who ruined him. Look at how he will be remembered now. Killing Hector, killing Troilus. For things he did cruelly in his grief.

Her face is like stone itself. It does not move. The days rise and fall.

Perhaps such things pass for virtue among the gods. But how is there glory in taking a life? We die so easily. Would you make him another Pyrrhus? Let the stories of him be something more.

"What more?" she says.

For once I am not afraid. What else can she do to me?

Returning Hector's body to Priam, I say. That should be remembered.

Related Characters: Patroclus (speaker), Thetis (speaker), Achilles, Hector, Pyrrhus, Priam
Page Number: 365-366
Explanation and Analysis: