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Definition of Tone
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical... read full definition
Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis:
The initial tone in The Song of Achilles is fairly hopeful and youthful. The narrator's (Patroclus's) tone in the first half of the novel often features awe, reverence, or fear in the face of divinity. The gods and their offspring shape so much of this world; narrative tone often depends on Patroclus's relationship to divinity at any given moment. Examples of this early, youthful, reverent tone follow, first from Chapter 5:
He made it look beautiful, this sweating, hacking art of ours. I understood why his father did not let him fight in front of the others. How could any ordinary man take pride in his own skill when there was this in the world?
Something similar can be seen in Chapter 6:
For who can be ashamed to lose to such beauty? It was enough to watch him win, to see the soles of his feet flashing as they kicked up sand, or the rise and fall of his shoulders as he pulled through the salt. It was enough.
These two quotations sum up Patroclus's relationship with divinity. He marvels at Achilles's beauty and skill. In part, Patroclus's love for Achilles can be contextualized as an offshoot of his love for the divine—for the god's blood flowing in his lover's veins.
As the novel reaches its halfway point, the narrative veers further into tragedy. Patroclus's tone becomes fatalistic and less reverent. He fears the future—both his own and Achilles's. Furthermore, Patroclus no longer views Achilles or the gods through rose-colored glasses. He realizes the cruel, cold nature of the gods who preside over humanity, quick to revoke favor from mortals as soon as they bestow it. Furthermore, while Patroclus still loves Achilles, he begins to realize the great cruelty his divine lover is capable of. Patroclus's tone becomes more disillusioned in this second half of the novel.
Related Themes:
Chapter 6
Explanation and Analysis:
The initial tone in The Song of Achilles is fairly hopeful and youthful. The narrator's (Patroclus's) tone in the first half of the novel often features awe, reverence, or fear in the face of divinity. The gods and their offspring shape so much of this world; narrative tone often depends on Patroclus's relationship to divinity at any given moment. Examples of this early, youthful, reverent tone follow, first from Chapter 5:
He made it look beautiful, this sweating, hacking art of ours. I understood why his father did not let him fight in front of the others. How could any ordinary man take pride in his own skill when there was this in the world?
Something similar can be seen in Chapter 6:
For who can be ashamed to lose to such beauty? It was enough to watch him win, to see the soles of his feet flashing as they kicked up sand, or the rise and fall of his shoulders as he pulled through the salt. It was enough.
These two quotations sum up Patroclus's relationship with divinity. He marvels at Achilles's beauty and skill. In part, Patroclus's love for Achilles can be contextualized as an offshoot of his love for the divine—for the god's blood flowing in his lover's veins.
As the novel reaches its halfway point, the narrative veers further into tragedy. Patroclus's tone becomes fatalistic and less reverent. He fears the future—both his own and Achilles's. Furthermore, Patroclus no longer views Achilles or the gods through rose-colored glasses. He realizes the cruel, cold nature of the gods who preside over humanity, quick to revoke favor from mortals as soon as they bestow it. Furthermore, while Patroclus still loves Achilles, he begins to realize the great cruelty his divine lover is capable of. Patroclus's tone becomes more disillusioned in this second half of the novel.
Related Themes:
