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Patroclus’s Mother
King Lycomedes is the ruler of Scyros and the father of Deidameia. He’s old and ill, so Deidameia essentially runs their kingdom, which leaves it (and Deidameia) vulnerable. Because of Lycomedes’s inattention, Thetis is able to trick Deidameia into marrying and having sex with a disguised Achilles, which eventually leads to Deidameia’s pregnancy and exile. Later, Odysseus convinces Achilles to join the Trojan War effort, in part by pointing to King Lycomedes’s example—his kingdom will soon be seized, and he’ll be forgotten, which is what could happen to Achilles if he doesn’t fight. Lycomedes has very little power, despite his royal status; he’s beholden to Thetis’s threats and whims. Despite this, he’s a kind man who fosters many young women on his island.
King Lycomedes Quotes in The Song of Achilles
The The Song of Achilles quotes below are all either spoken by King Lycomedes or refer to King Lycomedes. 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:
).
Chapter 15
Quotes
“That if you do not come to Troy, your godhead will wither in you, unused. Your strength will diminish. At best, you will be like Lycomedes here, moldering on a forgotten island with only daughters to succeed him. Scyros will be conquered soon by a nearby state; you know this as well as I. They will not kill him; why should they? He can live out his years in some corner eating the bread they soften for him, senile and alone. When he dies, people will say, who?”
The words filled the room, thinning the air until we could not breathe. Such a life was a horror.
But Odysseus' voice was relentless. “He is known now only because of how his story touches yours. If you go to Troy, your fame will be so great that a man will be written into eternal legend just for having passed a cup to you. You will be—”
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"I do not think I could bear it," he said, at last. His eyes were closed, as if against horrors. I knew he spoke not of his death, but of the nightmare Odysseus had spun, the loss of his brilliance, the withering of his grace. I had seen the joy he took in his own skill, the roaring vitality that was always just beneath the surface. Who was he if not miraculous and radiant? Who was he if not destined for fame?
"I would not care," I said. The words scrabbled from my mouth. "Whatever you became. It would not matter to me. We would be together."
"I know," he said quietly, but did not look at me.
He knew, but it was not enough.
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King Lycomedes Quotes in The Song of Achilles
The The Song of Achilles quotes below are all either spoken by King Lycomedes or refer to King Lycomedes. 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:
).
Chapter 15
Quotes
“That if you do not come to Troy, your godhead will wither in you, unused. Your strength will diminish. At best, you will be like Lycomedes here, moldering on a forgotten island with only daughters to succeed him. Scyros will be conquered soon by a nearby state; you know this as well as I. They will not kill him; why should they? He can live out his years in some corner eating the bread they soften for him, senile and alone. When he dies, people will say, who?”
The words filled the room, thinning the air until we could not breathe. Such a life was a horror.
But Odysseus' voice was relentless. “He is known now only because of how his story touches yours. If you go to Troy, your fame will be so great that a man will be written into eternal legend just for having passed a cup to you. You will be—”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
"I do not think I could bear it," he said, at last. His eyes were closed, as if against horrors. I knew he spoke not of his death, but of the nightmare Odysseus had spun, the loss of his brilliance, the withering of his grace. I had seen the joy he took in his own skill, the roaring vitality that was always just beneath the surface. Who was he if not miraculous and radiant? Who was he if not destined for fame?
"I would not care," I said. The words scrabbled from my mouth. "Whatever you became. It would not matter to me. We would be together."
"I know," he said quietly, but did not look at me.
He knew, but it was not enough.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
